logo
Eagles recall Kelly as midfield return looms against Tigers

Eagles recall Kelly as midfield return looms against Tigers

Perth Now6 days ago
Shortte's Mo this week? 👍or 😯
Tim Kelly looks set to get his wish and return to the midfield after being recalled for West Coast's clash against fellow battlers Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
As revealed by The West Australian last week, Kelly made the bold decision to drop himself back to the WAFL after being told he'd likely start as the sub against Port Adelaide that weekend.
It came on the back of Kelly's desire to return to the midfield where he won the 2023 John Worsfold Medal, having been pushed out ahead of their last meeting with the Tigers in round nine.
The 30-year-old responded with 27 disposals and two goals in the Eagles reserves defeat to West Perth on Saturday night to force his way back into the team against the Tigers.
He has been named in the midfield on the official teamsheet submitted to the AFL on Thursday.
Kelly had already been dropped earlier this year for the first time since joining West Coast in late 2019, while he also re-signed for another two seasons.
Before training on Thursday, coach Andrew McQualter said Kelly could potentially move back into the midfield if he earned a recall. Sport. West Coast Eagles training at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain. Tim Kelly. (front) Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
'He played midfield in the game last week in the WAFL for the whole game. Tim's played a lot of footy as a midfielder, so he stepped back into it really comfortably,' he said.
'We're just going to have to pick our mix and get our balance right in the midfield. Losing Jack (Graham) out of that midfield, we lose 150 games of experience, and it wasn't easy to replace.
'It's an acknowledgement of things aren't going the way we both want at the moment so to help our team we need to get Tim back in form and that's part of what our discussion was, and he went back and played a strong game.'
Kelly is joined by forward Liam Ryan who was a late out of the Eagles' side that lost to the Power, while speedster Jack Petruccelle has been named for his first game since round two against Brisbane.
Third-year midfielder Elijah Hewett has been managed after playing the past 12 games to take his tally to 15 for the season, a promising sign after missing all last year with a serious foot injury. Jack Petrucellehas not played since round two. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
Small forwards Noah Long – who was the tactical sub against the Power – and Malakai Champion have been dropped.
McQualter said Ryan would be a valuable addition to their forward line.
'He's one of our best players in our team and our forward line in particular,' he said.
'Every time we've got him he helps us.'
Petruccelle needs some solid showing given the 26-year-old Victorian is out of contract at the end of this season and has been overlooked in favour of younger players for much of the season.
Richmond will go into the game unchanged after upsetting an injury hit Essendon at the MCG last weekend.
WEST COAST V RICHMOND
Saturday, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm
EAGLES
B: R Ginbey H Edwards L Duggan
HB: T McCarthy R Bazzo T Cole
C: J Cripps H Reid R Maric
HF: L Baker J Shanahan L Ryan
F: M Owies J Williams T Brockman
FOLL: M Flynn B Hough T Kelly
I/C: J Petrucelle C Hall B Williams T Dewar J Hutchinson
EMG: J Hunt M Champion S Brock
IN: L Ryan T Kelly J Petruccelle
OUT: E Hewett (Managed) N Long (Omitted) M Champion (Omitted)
TIGERS
B: N Vlastuin B Miller N Broad
HB: S Banks J Short T Brown
C: K McIntosh D Prestia L Trainor
HF: J Ross S Campbell M Rioli
F: R Mansell J Faull J Koschitzke
FOLL: T Nankervis T Taranto J Hopper
I/C: T Young T Sonsie T Hotton T Sims J Trezise
EMG: J Blight S Green K Smith
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is Eagles star Harley Reid back on the market?
Is Eagles star Harley Reid back on the market?

Perth Now

time7 minutes ago

  • Perth Now

Is Eagles star Harley Reid back on the market?

Speculation is mounting West Coast young gun Harley Reid has split from his AFLW star girlfriend Yasmin Duursma. Reid and Duursma — who plays for Carlton — have been together since January last year. It comes with the Eagles star at the centre of hot contract speculation, with reports emerging this week his management has put forward a deal that could keep him in Western Australia long-term. The rising star has removed Duursma's initials from his Instagram bio, while Duursma has removed pictures of the pair from her own feed. PerthNow contacted Reid for a comment. Fans flooded the comments of her recent TikTok post, where she was dancing with friends. In the background, Duursma was watching Carlton's clash with Melbourne, rather than Reid's Eagles taking on Richmond at the same time. When one commentor suggested why Duursma was not watching Reid's game, she replied: 'you watch it'. Duursma has returned to Melbourne for pre-season training after spending large parts of this year living in Perth with Reid. Zane Duursma and Harley Reid are seen in the crowd during the 2024 AFLW Round 05 match between the Carlton Blues and the North Melbourne. Credit: Dylan Burns / AFL Photos She is also the sister of Essendon player Xavier and North Melbourne's Zane, while youngest brother Willem is set to be among this year's top draft picks. The pair made their red carpet debut at last year's Brownlow Medal after going public on TikTok in April last year. Reid is the hottest property in football right now, with Victorian clubs itching to lure him back to his home State. He is contracted to West Coast for next season, but clubs are desperate to lock him down beyond that initial deal. Reid's management has reportedly put forward multiple proposals that could keep the 20-year-old at West Coast. One of the deals could shake out to a $20 million contract over 10 years. Reid also remains a target of powerful clubs from his home state Victoria, lead by Geelong — who he supported as a youngster — and Hawthorn.

West Coast Eagles to honour Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern in  home clash with Adelaide
West Coast Eagles to honour Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern in  home clash with Adelaide

West Australian

timean hour ago

  • West Australian

West Coast Eagles to honour Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern in home clash with Adelaide

West Coast have announced their plan to honour recently retired premiership heroes Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern as the Eagles hope to give the pair a 'rousing blue and gold send off.' Eagles fans will get a final chance to see the pair on the Optus Stadium turf, with the CEO Don Pyke announcing they will be thanked for the service in next round's home game against Adelaide. McGovern was forced into medical retirement following repeat concussions on June 20, with Sheed retiring less than two weeks later after an ACL injury suffered in the pre-season. Pyke admits it will be a 'bittersweet' farewell. 'Before the season draws to a close, we will recognise two of our retiring premiership greats – Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed,' he said in an open letter to fans. 'It is always bittersweet to farewell such wonderful people and players, and both Jeremy and Dom should be incredibly proud of the significant contributions they have made to our Club. 'Both are Life Members of our Club, and they will forever be inextricably linked as the bookends of that famous match-winning passage of play in the 2018 Grand Final. 'We will honour them at our next home game at Optus Stadium against Adelaide on Sunday, August 10 to thank them and give them a rousing blue and gold send-off.' Adelaide has become a regular opponent for the Eagles to honour retiring greats with Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui all being acknowledged during their round 23 clash against the Crows in 2023. The season prior, Josh Kennedy played his final game, kicking eight goals against them in a memorable send-off. It comes as Pyke thanked Eagles fans for their staunch support during what has been another tough season with the club passing 100,000 members for the sixth consecutive year. 'The loyalty of so many West Coast Eagles families is something truly special and deserves to be celebrated,' he said. 'I want to sincerely thank you for your passion and commitment. These past few seasons have tested us all, but through every challenge, you've kept showing up. 'We know we have a lot of work to do to lift ourselves back up the ladder, but we believe in the path we are on and appreciate your support.'

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list
West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list

West Australian

timean hour ago

  • West Australian

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke says the Eagles will use every avenue available to improve one-win list

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke has pledged the club will use every lever available to them to improve their list at the end of the season. It comes as the dual premiership Eagle conceded they had 'not won often enough' as they stare down a dire one-victory season for the first time in club history. Pyke addressed the members and fans in an open letter on Wednesday, where he thanked them for their support in another difficult year. The Eagles have won only 11 of their past 86 games since the start of 2022 in the darkest on-field period in the proud club's history. And there doesn't seem to be a return to September action in sight any time soon as they prepare to claim the third wooden spoon. Last year the Eagles traded in Liam Baker (Richmond) and Matt Owies (Carlton), while they also signed Jack Graham (Richmond) as a free agent to bolster their list. They also brought in five players through the national draft — Bo Allan, Jobe Shanahan, Tom Gross, Lucca Grego and Hamish Davis — as well as Malakai Champion as a next generation academy as a category-B rookie and former Gold Coast-listed backman Sandy Brock through the pre-season supplement selection period as part of a massive list overhaul. In his second season as CEO, Pyke said they would once again look to use every avenue at their disposal to improve their list. 'The club will again use every available lever of draft, trade and free agency at the end of the season to strengthen our playing list,' he wrote. 'Pleasingly, our next generation of players are maturing and developing, with Brady Hough, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, Harry Edwards and Harley Reid consistently impressing. 'There is plenty to be excited about from recent draftees Jobe Shanahan, Tyrell Dewar, Bo Allan, Tom Gross, Clay Hall, Malakai Champion, Archer Reid and Tom McCarthy who have shown enough in their early opportunities to indicate plenty of good AFL football lies ahead.' Pyke said they backed the path they were on despite the lack of on-field results so far in 2025. 'While we have not won often enough, we have seen encouraging performances, particularly against top four contenders Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood, and there has been progress,' he said. 'We know we have a lot of work to do to lift ourselves back up the ladder, but we believe in the path we are on and appreciate your support. 'Our new senior coach Andrew McQualter has led the team with commitment and energy, built a strong connection with our players and is establishing a clear style of play. 'While we have not won often enough, we have seen encouraging performances, particularly against top four contenders Brisbane, Geelong and Collingwood, and there has been progress. 'Every game between now and the end of the season is an opportunity to take steps forward and everyone in our football department are determined to get better quickly.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store