RACE FOR STAR CAT DOWN TO TWO CLUBS

If Kelly departs Cattery, he wants to ...

THE race for star Tim Kelly’s services appears to be down to two clubs, with West Coast his clear destination of choice should he return to Western Australia at the end of the year.

But despite the 24-year-old telling reporters at the Brownlow Medal on Monday night that his “future is a little bit undecided”, the Cats remain hopeful he will stay at GMHBA Stadium and see out his contract next season.

While Kelly would not be entirely opposed to a move to Fremantle if the lure home was too difficult to ignore, it is understood a combination of factors relating to on-field performance and offfield instability has seen his interest in playing there cool through the season.

Complicating matters for the star Geelong midfielder is the fact both West Australian clubs will be major players in the free agency and trade period.

West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is all but out the door and on-baller Andrew Gaff is yet to reveal whether he will commit to the club or exercise his rights as a free agent and accept a lucrative offer from North Melbourne.

The Eagles are also chasing Rory Lobb and reportedly met the Swan Districts product yesterday in Perth to discuss what a move home would look like for the GWS ruckman.

If Gaff decides to go it will likely provide West Coast with a late first round draft pick but it is believed that would not be enough to satisfy Geelong if Kelly requests a move home.

Industry insiders have suggested Kelly, who was taken with pick 24 last year, is worth at least a mid-range first round selection.

The Dockers, who hold pick five — to become pick six after Gold Coast receives its compensation pick for losing Tom Lynch — had been keen on acquiring him via trade but have reportedly put a multimillion-dollar offer to Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, which would involve the use of that selection.

There remains a possibility that midfielder Lachie Neale will land at Brisbane Lions, giving the Dockers another top 10 pick, but it is understood they have a lot of work to do in order to convince Kelly they are the right club for him, with West Coast or Geelong his likely home in 2019.

The Cats have remained confident throughout the year that he will be at the club next season but are sympathetic to his family situation.

Kelly and his partner, Caitlin Miller, have three boys under the age of three, with their parents and extended family all living in Western Australia.