Tim Kelly gets more family support in Geelong as trio of clubs circle

Wantaway Western Australian Tim Kelly will enter his second season at Geelong with extra family support, but with three clubs still chasing his services for next year as he reportedly trains the house down at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong star Tim Kelly will have more support from his extended family in his second season in Geelong.

Tim Kelly will enter his second season at Geelong with added family support and three clubs still desperately chasing his services for next year.

The star Cat has already pledged not to be distracted by continuing uncertainty over his contract status after a stunning second-placing in the Cats best-and-fairest in his debut year.

He is out of contract at the end of this season and West Coast will again try to secure his signature after their five-year, $3 million trade deal was shut down by the Cats last year.

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Geelong star Tim Kelly will have the season to decide if he wants to stay a Cat or go home to WA. Picture: Getty Images

Fremantle is also expected to resume its chase for Kelly after he refused to play ball with them last October.

Kelly made it clear he would not be traded to the Dockers at the end of last season, preferring to return to Geelong rather than entertain a possible trade to Ross Lyon’s Fremantle.

Kelly’s partner, Caitlin Miller, and their three children, aged under three, spent the off-season back in Western Australia but returned to Geelong at the end of last month.

Miller will be joined this season by his 19-year-old cousin, who will help with the children, one of whom has special needs.

Geelong hopes the added support will allow the family to grow more familiar and settled in the city.

Tim Kelly’s large family will have the support of a cousin in his second year in Geelong. Picture credit: Hails and Shine

Kelly has reportedly taken his training standards to a new level over the summer and is desperate to put together another excellent season for the Cats.

He will likely ask to be traded again but Geelong has recently made it clear to his camp that it is determined to present the star onballer with a contract extension that convinces him to stay.

Wherever Kelly plays next year he will be able to ask for a significant wage rise as long as he continues his excellent form.

Last year he gathered 526 possessions and kicked 26 goals.

As a first-year player under the AFL CBA he earned $189,000 — a base wage of $85,000 plus $4000 a match and a games-based bonus of $12,000.

Kelly finished equal-second in the Geelong best and fairest with Patrick Dangerfield, behind only key defender Mark Blicavs. Picture: Peter Ristevski

This year his base salary will be $120,000 plus $5000 match payments, with another $12,000 bonus for 11 of more matches, meaning he can earn $242,000 for a 22-game season.

West Coast last year offered picks 20, 22 and a future-second rounder for Kelly but the Cats wanted a future first-rounder as well as those mid-20s picks.

Eagles list manager Brady Rawlings said post-trade the Eagles would not relent in their interest for Kelly.

“No doubt we’ll monitor his situation. If he feels the same way next year, then we’ll be here and willing to talk,” Rawlings said.

Kelly will be off contract next season but although he could walk if the Cats don’t broker a trade, it wouldn’t help him get to West Coast in the pre-season draft because other clubs lower on the ladder would secure him before the Eagles had a selection.

The Cats will be hoping to see plenty more goal celebrations from Tim Kelly. Picture: Getty Images

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