Tim Kelly latest in production line of Geelong mature-age SuperCoach rookies

WHAT’S that saying about teaching an old Cat new tricks? Mature-age recruit Tim Kelly is the latest in a long line of recycled Geelong stars — and SuperCoach guns.

WHAT’S that saying about teaching an old Cat new tricks?

OK, that might not quite be it but at AFL level the Cats have developed a habit of unearthing mature-age gems that become fantastic SuperCoach selections.

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The region’s under-18 side has long been known as a “footy factory”, but the senior team has become an equally effective recycling plant.

Tim Kelly is the latest to roll off the production line with a fresh coat of paint ready to star at AFL level — and in our SuperCoach teams.

Kelly was overlooked in the 2012 draft and was snapped up by master recruiter Stephen Wells at last year’s draft at age 23 after learning his craft in the WAFL.

As he showed in week one of the JLT Series, he’s ready to step straight into the action at the top level and make an impact.

But it should hardly come as a surprise. Here’s a recap of the Cats’ recycled SuperCoach guns.

JAMES PODSIADLY

Drafted: 2009 rookie draft, age 28

Opening SuperCoach price: $83,400

First-year SuperCoach average: 92

One of the all-time great SuperCoach buys, kick-starting his career with a 102 on debut and jumping in value more than $300,000 in seven weeks. He topped out at $492,900 in Round 13 — a return of $409,500 on a pre-Round 1 investment. Unfortunately, starting prices have gone up a bit since then!

James Podsiadly has a place in the heart of many SuperCoach players.

HARRY TAYLOR

Drafted: 2007 national draft, age 21

Opening SuperCoach price: $94,200

First-year SuperCoach average: 81

Taylor played three seasons in the WAFL before being plucked by the Cats at pick 17 in the 2007 draft. He made his debut in Round 2, scoring 90 points against Essendon, and jumped $80k at his first price movement. He gained a total of $297k over the course of the season and was a handy player to have in the SuperCoach grand final that year, scoring 131 in the final home-and-away round.

TOM RUGGLES

Drafted: 2016 rookie draft, age 24

Opening SuperCoach price: $102,400

First-year SuperCoach average: 66

Ruggles broke into the Cats’ line-up in Round 3, 2016 and was a solid slow-burn rookie for the rest of year, missing just three games and jumping $235k in value.

Tom Stewart was drafted from the Cats’ backyard.

Sam Menegola took a while to make his AFL debut but hasn’t missed a beat since.

SAM MENEGOLA

Drafted: 2015 rookie draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average: 99

Menegola spent time on the Hawthorn and Fremantle lists before finally getting a chance at the Cats. Even there it took a while for him to get a look-in, making his debut in Round 18, 2016. He made an instant impact, scoring above 90 in all but one of his six games that season to jump $213k in value in three weeks. He continued his prodigious scoring last year and enters this season as the most expensive forward in the game.

TOM STEWART

Drafted: 2016 national draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average: 67

The Cats clearly recruited Stewart from their own VFL team with a role in mind and played him from Round 1 last year. His best scores came in the final two rounds (101, 102) by which time most SuperCoach owners had moved him on, but they weren’t complaining about a $210k profit.

Tim Kelly was taken at pick 24 in last year’s draft.

TIM KELLY

Drafted: 2017 national draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average:?

Can you see a pattern here? Kelly finished second in the 2017 Sandover Medal after a brilliant year with South Fremantle and was snapped up by the Cats at pick 24, five years after he first nominated for the draft. Plays as a medium forward and seems ready to step into the spot vacated by Steven Motlop.