I WANT TO FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
KELLY SAYS EAGLES BEST FOR HIM & FAMILY
WEST Coast is aware Geelong will ask for a massive package of picks for star midfielder Tim Kelly after the Cats flyer officially told Geelong he wanted out yesterday.
Kelly’s decision was confirmed in the past week when his manager Anthony van der Wielen held discussions in Geelong with him, his partner Caitlyn and their families.
Van der Wielen said yesterday there was a strong family need to get home given two of the couple’s children had been handed an autism diagnosis.
The 25-year-old has been offered a contract of about $800,000 a season on a contract that could extend to six years.
Geelong is again likely to play hardball in negotiations to get the best possible return for one of its best midfielders as he enters the prime of his career.
The clubs had already held preliminary talks around what a suitable trade would be, well before yesterday’s announcement.
Fremantle is also hopeful it can lure Kelly, with the Dockers boasting pick seven in this year’s draft.
Van der Wielen said his client’s request for a move was not a decision he had taken lightly.
“I know he is forever grateful for the opportunity the Geelong (football club) have given him and he has enjoyed being able to represent the club,” van der Wielen said yesterday.
Kelly is one of the favourites to win Geelong’s bestand-fairest award tonight at Crown, in what will be his first public appearance since news of his trade request became official.
At last year’s event, Cats supporters yelled from the crowd pleading for him to stay as he accepted his runner-up trophy.
In a statement on the Geelong website yesterday, the Cats acknowledged Kelly’s request to go home.
“Tim is out of contract but is not a free agent,” the statement read.
“The club will explore all options in regard to Tim’s request.”
Kelly asked to be traded to West Coast last year but both clubs couldn’t agree on a deal.
The 25-year-old has played 48 games for the Cats.
“It’s something which I think we all agree he has done to the best of his ability over the past two seasons,” van der Wielen said.
After careful consideration Tim and Caitlin believe that West Coast can best provide the right environment for him and his family to prosper.” — TIM KELLY’S MANAGER ANTHONY VAN DER WIELEN
“It is well known by all who are close to Tim and his partner Caitlin that their young family are dealing with some significant challenges with two of their three children being classified as autistic.
“Tim and his family need to be at home surrounded by family and friends who can best assist them with therapy and support.
“After careful consideration Tim and Caitlin believe that West Coast can best provide the right environment for him and his family to prosper.”
Kelly was named All-Australian this year, and finished fifth in the Brownlow Medal with 24 votes, despite persistent speculation he would again request to leave Geelong at the end of the 2019 season.
GEELONG is likely to again push a hard line in the Tim Kelly trade, not only because of his star power but because premiership contender West Coast will only be strengthened by his presence.
West Coast is prepared to be fair in negotiations and has selections 14, 24, 33 and 61.
The Eagles believe a suite of those picks will be suitable for the Cats, even if Geelong coach Chris Scott joked recently that Kelly was worth four first-rounders and Dustin Martin.
The Eagles could attempt to trade picks 24 and 33 with a club that needed to secure draft points for father-sons and academy selections, turning it into a pick at around No. 11.
It believes picks 11 and 14 would be a fair price for Kelly, considering most stars who change clubs do so for two first-rounders with a secondrounder coming back in the exchange.
Geelong is believed to want to secure high picks in an even draft, rather than young Eagles players.
But West Coast would not consider trading any contracted players if Geelong changed its tune, believing the days are gone when clubs shunted players in contract to satisfy rivals.
Andrew Gaff has an escape clause on his long-term contract at the end of 2020 but the Eagles believe he is content and happy to finish his career at West Coast.
The Dockers this week made it clear they would try to broker a deal on Kelly despite him rebuffing their approach last year. But as West Coast is aware, players are well within their rights to nominate a club of choice and get there, as long as the eventual trade is fair for both parties.
Last year, West Coast eventually blinked on a deal that would have seen it hand over 20, 23 and an exchange of future second and third-round picks.
The Dockers could eventually have pick seven and another early first-rounder as high as six from the Brad Hill trade they could swap for Kelly.
A repeat of last year’s protracted negotiations would hold up other deals in the trade period, which starts on Monday, where Essendon’s Orazio Fantasia could be on the move.
Port Adelaide confirmed its interest in speaking to Fantasia should the South Australian forward seek a trade back to his home state.
The 24-year-old is contracted to the Bombers until the end of 2021, but speculation that he is leaning towards switching clubs continues.
“I can certainly tell you that when a young South Australian player wants to come home at any point that we’ve got an interest,” Power football boss Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio.
“But I think there’s a fair bit to play out with Orazio yet.”