REACHING FOR THE TOP
TIM Kelly would often unlock his smartphone and tap onto YouTube.
The apprentice electrician was a star player in the WAFL in Perth, but sometimes would go looking for extra inspiration.
He would search for Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood or Gary Ablett highlights.
Fast-forward a few months and the 24-year-old is plying a very different trade alongside those Cats stars. Incredibly, he is shining just as brightly.
Kelly, taken with Geelong’s second-round selection at pick 24 in last year’s draft, had endured a long football apprenticeship — he was overlooked in five drafts.
“I was gearing up for another finals series at South Fremantle,” Kelly said. “I was halfway through my third year of my electrical apprenticeship, working long days.
“Those were the days where I’d be waking up at 5.30 or 6.00 in the morning and I’d be at it for eight or nine hours and then driving straight to training.
“I’d train for a couple of hours and then come back home about 7.30 or 8 at night. That was me three or four days a week, so it was pretty draining.”
But the West Australian refused to be deterred by the AFL knock-backs.
“I always had a little person in the back of my head that said that these things could happen if I just continued to work at things, and with a bit of luck, swing my way,” he said.
“I’ve always known that I’ve got the potential to play at this game, and that I’m good enough, as well.”
Videos helped him quickly blend with his new teammates.
“Paddy Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett … they’re three guys who as a kid I’ve looked up their highlights on my phone and sat … thinking, ‘How good are these guys?’,” Kelly said.
“You look at them for inspiration, as a lot of young players do. The biggest one for me is Chris Judd — he’s my favourite player.”
It wasn’t to copy their moves. For Kelly, it was about adding flair.
“It’s a bit of a luxury for me (to have them to draw on at Geelong). I’ve got so many guys that I can pull things off and twist it and turn it and make it into something of my own,” he said.
“No doubt the midfield is starstudded and there’s a lot of guys there that I follow very closely, but it’s a whole range of players.
“It’s just about watching other players do certain things under certain situations. I just try to emulate it and make it my own.”
Kelly has averaged more than 23 disposals this season. Last week he was named the AFL Players’ Association’s best firstyear player.
His calm nature and ability to withstand pressure has impressed even the keenest of football eyes. It’s something Kelly admits is a strength, crediting years playing senior footy at South Fremantle for laying the foundations.
“I just try to keep a cool head in every situation,” he said.
“I’ve played a lot of footy and am very, very comfortable playing at this level.
“A lot of that has to do with the work I’ve put in, my preseason and the support that I’ve had from my coaches and my teammates, as well.”
The self-proclaimed “massive footy fan” feels like he is yet to show all his wares.
“Just like any player, there’s always room to grow and I definitely don’t think I’ve reached my full potential,” he said.
Kelly has never made a grand final at any level, but played a “fair few” senior finals, including two WAFL preliminaries.
Nothing will compare to tonight at the MCG against Melbourne, but he isn’t daunted.
“If I was to be given an opportunity at, say, 18 or 19 years of age, I might not have been up to standard,” Kelly said.
“I could have gotten chewed up and spat out in two years. So I definitely think having those few extra years at WAFL level, I’ve really got that hunger, that desire and that want to play at this level.
“I think that’s why I’ve had quite a successful first year.”
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Drafted in November, Kelly moved more than 3000km from Perth to Geelong within days to begin training.
His partner Caitlin — who had never been to Melbourne, let along Geelong — was heavily pregnant with twins in WA.
Within weeks, Tariq and Trey, now eight months, were born, brothers for Tykeem, now 3.
Kelly returned to Victoria when the twins were just eight days old. A month later, Caitlin and the kids made the “scary” shift across the country to Geelong.
Kelly admitted there had been “a lot of life lessons” learned in the whirlwind past 10 months.
“Probably more outside of footy than inside,” he said.
“It’s been a hell of a move and a hell of a journey and a hell of a last nine or 10 months for myself and my beautiful fiancee Caitlin and our three boys.
“But here we are, eight or nine months down the track.
“The challenges for us definitely aren’t on the field. But I’m really enjoying it.”
Kelly still has a year to run on his contract with the Cats, but adding to the load has been constant speculation about his future and whether he will return to Perth.
He is adamant he will not be rushed.
“Like I said, the challenges for me and my family aren’t on-field, they’re offfield,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s tough. We definitely do feel settled in Geelong, and it’s just one of those things that will take time.”