Kelly and family happy to be headed home to WA

AFL:

Tim Kelly’s partner Caitlin cried “tears of joy” after the star on-baller’s return to Western Australia was sealed yesterday.

In the first deal of this year’s trade period, Kelly was granted his wish to return home as Geelong gained picks 14, 24 and 33 and a future first-round draft pick. Kelly has signed a monster six-year deal with the Eagles which his manager Anthony van der Wielen said had been 18 months in the making and would make him an Eagle until he retired.

“12 months ago I suppose, when he missed out on the trade, it was always going to be this way,” van Der Wielen said.

Geelong sent two thirdround picks to West Coast, while Essendon was involved to sweeten the exchange.

Kelly said his family, who had hoped to return to WA for much of their time in Geelong, was relieved the trade had been finalised.

“(Caitlin feels) like a weight has been taken off her shoulders,” Kelly said.

“Thrilled. Rapt. She can’t wait to get our boys in their West Coast gear.”

Kelly’s trade request was motivated by a desire to be closer to family.

“Two of my three boys are autistic. As you can imagine, managing that on the other side of the country with no family support, it’s pretty tough,” he said.

“Having family around means there’s less pressure on me and my family.”

Kelly said he was happy Geelong, which drafted him with pick 24 two years ago, had been compensated for his loss.

“I think it’s a win-win for both clubs,” he said.

“(Geelong’s) a great club, I loved my time there and nobody wanted them to be well compensated more than me. I’m thrilled with what Geelong get out of it.”