Chris Scott says Geelong in a ‘strong position’ to retain Brownlow fancy Tim Kelly

Speculation about Tim Kelly grows with every game the star plays. And Cats coach Chris Scott says the in-demand midfielder is having the time of his life in Geelong.

Tim Kelly is enjoying life at the Cats. Pic: AAP

Geelong has never been in a stronger position to retain Brownlow Medal favourite Tim Kelly, says Cats coach Chris Scott.

As Kelly weighs up a move to his home state of Western Australia, where he could command up to $1 million a season, Scott declared the star midfielder was “having the time of his life” at the Cattery.

Mature-age recruit Kelly been the subject of fierce speculation on his playing future, but Scott claimed the club was no closer to learning if he’ll stay or go at season’s end.

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“You’re asking the wrong person,” Scott said.

“I can give you my feel, but there’s even people on our list management committee that would have a better feel than I do.

“Even they couldn’t give you an accurate answer. It’s not worth speculating on because it could be so wildly inaccurate it’s not funny. I wouldn’t back my gut feel.”

Kelly, 24, indicated he wanted to return home at the end of last season, but a trade could not be struck with West Coast or Fremantle.

The Eagles and Dockers are understood to have increased their offers, with the South Fremantle product set for a massive payday if he returns home.

But Kelly is now happier than ever at Geelong, with Scott having no doubt his career-best form has played an integral part in that.

“I’m not trying to speak for Tim, but I’ll repeat the things I’ve heard him say publicly. I think if you separate the footy side of things, which has never been in doubt, he’s having the time of his life on the footy field and he’s playing accordingly,” Scott said.

Tim Kelly is loving life at the Cats. Pic: AAP

“But his family life, according to him and what he’s said publicly, is much, much better than it was. I think that has less to do with where he’s living and more to do with the fact that his twins are a year older and young kids can be a handful for anyone, much less having moved across the country and playing AFL footy every week with all the difficulties that it entails.

“If Tim’s happiness is the measure, then I think it’s all on track.”

Kelly’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen has spent time in Geelong this week discussing his star client’s future, but it’s unlikely a decision will be made until season’s end.

Scott conceded the club was eager to know Kelly’s plans sooner rather than later, but stressed it was “naive” to expect a call on his future at this point of the season.

Kelly might yet request a trade to WA. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Every club would have 25 per cent of their list that are uncontracted and some of those players would like to know now, and in other cases, the club would like to know the intention of those players,” Scott said.

“What you would like to happen and what actually happens are often two different things in respect to list management.

“In a perfect world for us, Tim says ‘I’d like to play for the Cats for the rest of my career’ and then we can move on with our other planning.

“The reality is we don’t quite know that yet so we’ve got to work on multiple scenarios but our list management can walk and chew at the same time.”

Scott has considered the prospect of landing Kelly on a long-term deal, but he has also entertained the thought of him heading home.

“You have to, don’t you?” Scott said of Kelly’s possible exit.

“I think the club is in a very, very strong position — it couldn’t be much stronger, really — so I think about it (Kelly leaving) but I think a lot more about what it would be like having Tim on our list for the next 6-8 years or how ever long his career goes from here.

“That makes me feel a lot more happy.”

Chris Scott’s Cats didn’t have it all their own way against the Bulldogs in Round 9. Pic: Getty Images

CATS PREPARE FOR DIFFERENT DOGS

Chris Scott is aware of the threat posed by the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night’s clash at Marvel Stadium.

Scott said the Dogs’ recent form — taking the scalp of Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval and pushing premiership contender Collingwood to the wire — was evidence that they could not be underestimated.

“We need to work on our best footy this week,” Scott said.

“If Collingwood are in the best couple of teams in the comp and the Bulldogs pushed them to such a close margin and then they went over and beat Port Adelaide in Adelaide, which we couldn’t do, we don’t need much more sharpening up to realise the task at hand this week.”

The Cats had trouble shaking the determined Dogs back in Round 9, with a blistering patch in time-on helping Scott’s men record a 44-point win at GMHBA Stadium.

The Bulldogs have since bounced back, keeping their finals hopes alive with victory in the wet over the Power last round.

“They’re clearly in good form,” Scott said.

“The game (against Port Adelaide) was played in different conditions to the usual for the Bulldogs, and I listened with interest to Luke Beveridge post game, and he said they do play a particular style of game under the roof at Marvel (Stadium) and they needed to adapt (in Adelaide) and they adapted really well.

Josh Schache and the Bulldogs stunned Port last week. Pic: Sarah Reed

“Back at Marvel, I don’t think last week will be a great guide to the way they’ll try to play, but the previous game against Collingwood was tight.

“So we’re aware of the challenge and they’ve got a few players back. (Caleb) Daniel is a loss for them, but (Jackson) Trengove didn’t play in his true spot and (Tim) English wasn’t in the team, so they look a big stronger at both ends of the ground.”

A fortnight ago, the Dogs troubled Collingwood with their fast, up-tempo style of play and Scott concedes his side will need to make some adjustments on Saturday night.

“A lot of teams try to play in a similar manner in parts of the game, but it’s a reasonable observation that the teams who play under the roof a lot tend to play a bit differently to those who don’t,” Scott said.

“Compared to some teams, they move the ball a bit faster and they can be hard to stop if they get the game on their terms.

“Let’s be honest, that’s only the second time we play at Marvel for the year and the game is played slightly differently.

“So I think it’s incumbent on us to adjust the way we play, as opposed to looking at any unusual aspects around the way they play.”

Originally published as Chris Scott says Geelong in a ‘strong position’ to retain Brownlow fancy Tim Kelly