West Coast have dropped star midfielder Tim Kelly for their Gather Round clash with Carlton, in Andrew McQualter’s first major selection statement as Eagles coach.
Kelly has been a regular in the Eagles team since a blockbuster trade saw him depart from Geelong at the end of 2019, playing his 100th match for the club in their Round 4 loss to GWS.
However, a poor start to the season, including managing just 14 disposals while being tagged by Toby Bedford in an 81-point loss to the Giants, Kelly has been left in Western Australia as the Eagles head to Adelaide to face the Blues, and will play in the WAFL on Friday night.
Remarkably, the 30-year old’s 77 career Brownlow Medal votes are more than the combined tally of his 22 Eagles teammates from the Giants clash.
In a statement released to 9 News, Kelly’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen said he views the omission as ‘an opportunity to reset’.
“He’s obviously disappointed about that [being dropped] but understands the decision and knows his form hasn’t been at the level he expects of himself,” Van Der Wielen said of Kelly.
“He sees this as an opportunity to reset, build confidence, and hopefully push straight back into senior selection.
“Tim’s a proud player and a leader. One of the most driven and self-aware athletes I’ve worked with.
“He is very confident he can get back to his best form very soon.”
Kelly’s six-year Eagles contract expires at the end of 2025, with negotiations for a new deal reportedly yet to begin.
Having returned home to Western Australia for family reasons at the end of 2019, Kelly’s move has coincided with the darkest on-field period in Eagles history, with the club missing finals for four consecutive seasons and winning just 10 of its last 76 AFL games.
The Eagles sit last on the ladder after four rounds, with a percentage of just 51.9.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
‘In a bit of trouble’: Eddie McGuire’s dire Voss prediction
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire believes Michael Voss is ‘gone’ if Carlton’s horror start to the season continues against West Coast.
The Blues are one of three teams, along with the Eagles and Melbourne, to be winless after four rounds of the 2025 season, with losses to Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn, and most embarrassingly of all, wooden spoon favourites Richmond in Round 1.
Pressure has been building on Voss, who took over as coach at the end of 2021 and has steered the Blues to two finals campaigns in three years, with McGuire saying on his Eddie and Jimmy podcast that the three-time Brisbane premiership captain will be in big trouble if the Blues lose to the Eagles.
“If Carlton gets beaten by West Coast on the weekend, I think Voss is gone,” McGuire said.
“I know how Carlton behaves… I think he’s in a bit of trouble if they get knocked off by West Coast.
“[Blues fan and AFL media personality] Andy Maher got very upset at me when I said that [former Carlton coach Brett Ratten] was gone [in 2012] and Mick Malthouse was in. I knew where Mick was going – you could read the play on it.”
However, McGuire also believes the Blues will ‘flog’ the Eagles at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday to keep the wolf from Voss’ door.
The former Magpies president’s comments have been described as ‘disrespectful at best’ by another prominent former AFL figurehead, controversial one-time Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.
I do not know if Eddie McGuire said it or is being accurately reported. But anyone suggesting that Michael Voss should or might be replaced as Coach of Carlton if the Blues lose to West Coast this weekend is being disrespectful at best,” Kennett wrote on X.
“Have they forgotten we at Hawthorn lost the first 6 games and went on to play finals [in 2024 – they actually only lost the first five matches].
“Brisbane Lions went one better after a slow start, to win the Premiership.
“Sadly today we have too many football shows where the majority of those so employed are desperately trying to be noticed. We are only 4 games into the season. Anything is still possible.”
The Blues are set to welcome back star forward Harry McKay to face the Eagles, having missed three consecutive matches due to mental health issues.
