Tim Kelly’s long-term future at Geelong still undecided as West Australian state clubs circle
WEST Coast and Fremantle are aggressively pursuing Geelong’s West Australian midfielder Tim Kelly as he ponders his ongoing future at the Cats.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WEST Coast and Fremantle are aggressively pursuing Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly as he ponders his ongoing future at the Cats.
His manager Anthony Van Der Wielen admitted homesickness was a continuing issue for the Kelly family.
He and his partner Caitlin have three children under 30 months, with their families only able to see their grandchildren sporadically.
FUTURE: CATS KEEN TO EXTEND KELLY, WARY OF RIVALS
RULES: STARTING POINTS CAN MAKE GAME GREAT AGAIN
NOONGAR: GLIMPSES OF KRAKOUER IN CAT KELLY
Geelong has told Kelly it will put a long-term offer in front of him past his initial deal to the end of 2019.
Yet the Cats might also have to decide at some stage whether a trade home would maximise their investment given he is out of contract next year.
Van Der Wielen conceded it was a possibility on “humanitarian” grounds given the couple’s lack of family support in Geelong.
Geelong secured him ahead of the two West Australian clubs with pick 24 in last year’s draft, but would much prefer for him to settle long-term in the city.
“Both Perth clubs are interested. They are banging down the door but I have told them we don’t want to get into any discussions with them,’’ Van Der Wielen said.
“The family thing is definitely an issue but hopefully the will learn to warm to Geelong.
“Geelong have made it crystal clear they don’t want to trade him under any circumstances but they have also said we understand it from a humanitarian side.
“They got (Patrick) Dangerfield to Geelong because of it and they understand it from both sides. They have said they aren’t putting pressure on him.”
“They are prepared to put a good contract in front of him if he wants to sign on. But if they need to back off and give him some time that’s what they will do.”
It would take an exceptional deal for the Cats to even consider a trade, given his superb form and delivery to Geelong’s leading forwards.
But if he did leave the Cats an immediate replacement might be Carlton captain Marc Murphy, considering his free agency rights.
Some senior Cats believe Murphy would help a club clearly in the premiership window and allow Patrick Dangerfield to play as a forward even more.
Geelong clearly needs to improve its ruck stocks despite Rhys Stanley’s strong form last week, with both him and Zac Smith out of contract.
Some Geelong fans have held out hope they could lure Cobden ruckman Sean Darcy back from Fremantle, but he is contracted until 2020.
Daniel Menzel returns through the VFL this weekend after a lingering groin issue and will be desperate to finish the season strongly after receiving only a one-year extension last year.
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Why in-demand great chose country club as flag Cats reunite
Steve Johnson had plenty of suitors after him, but one contender stood out. The Geelong great opens up on his move, reuniting with his former teammates and the recruits in his sights.
Ball: Don’t put Smith through draft ringer
Fifteen years after he was forced to go through the draft to reach Collingwood, Luke Ball has urged the Cats and Dogs to come to terms to trade Bailey Smith and avoid the anxiety he felt while in limbo.