West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly admits he’s fallen out of love with football as contract call looms

Indigenous All Stars midfielder Tim Kelly admitted he’s fallen out of love with football in the last two years amid stalled contract talks with West Coast.

Indigenous All Stars midfielder Tim Kelly admitted he’s fallen out of love with football in the last two years amid stalled contract talks with West Coast.

Out of contract at the end of the season, it’s been reported that Kelly’s preference is to remain at the Eagles, but there are yet to be any contract talks between the two parties.

The 30-year-old was also briefly linked with Fremantle during last year’s trade period, but a move was shut down by his manager Anthony Van Der Wielen.

Speaking ahead of the All Stars clash on Saturday at Optus Stadium, Kelly admitted that it’s been a challenging few years at West Coast after being hampered by a knee injury most of last season and the Eagles recording consecutive bottom four finishes.

Tim Kelly has admitted to some tough times at the Eagles. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It’s something that will work itself out,” Kelly said when asked about his contract talks.

“My manager works pretty hard in that space.

“To be honest, for me it’s about honing in on what I’ve got to do, get my body right … my love of the game hasn’t been great over the last couple of years.

“There’s a lot of contract talk and this and that but I’m trying to love the game again. Hopefully, that comes.

“It’s been a tough few years. I’m not the only one.

“Everyone here has been working really hard and not getting much reward. It’s been frustrating, to say the least. It’s got to turn around eventually so we’ll see how we go.”

Kelly hasn’t put a timeline on when he’d like to come to an agreement with the Eagles. He also all but ruled out retirement as he attempts to rediscover his love for the game.

“I don’t think I’m necessarily thinking like that,” he said.

Kelly did say that he’s embracing new coach Andrew McQualter’s fresh approach and the possibilities of a Richmond-esque game plan.

“He’s been great,” he said. “Him and the coaching staff are doing a hell of a job with the program at the moment.

“I’m just enjoying the fact that everything is new. It’s the same game but there’s new language and a different game plan.

“Guys like Bakes and Jack have come in and have been really driving it from the front. They’ve obviously had a lot of success with this sort of game style.”

Eagles Coen Livingstone and Tim Kelly will represent the Indigenous All Stars. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Kelly will lead a star-studded All Stars midfield alongside young Eagle Coen Livingstone who has been named as the only recognised ruck in the squad.

The 20-year-old is yet to make his AFL debut but played 18 WAFL games last year, coming up against likely Fremantle opponent Liam Reidy.

“I’ve had to chuck on some size,” the Eagles NGA graduate said. “I was probably a bit underweight last year.

“I had a big off-season and chucked on a few kilos so I can go against those big boys like Liam Reidy.

“The nerves are pretty high. I’m super honoured and proud to be a part of the team. To play with TK for the first time will be unreal.”

Livingstone is set to be supported by Jeremy Finlayson and Ash Johnson in the ruck.