By Natalee Kerr
With the 2019 AFL season ending following last Saturday’s grand final, the stage is set for some big off-season trade activities.
As a number of Geelong players have already been delisted, further movements to and from the club look likely ahead of next week’s AFL Trade Period.
After months of speculation, All Australian Cat Tim Kelly officially informed the club on Wednesday of his desire to join West Coast next year, according to a club statement.
The 25-year-old is “out of contract but not a free agent” with Geelong set to explore “all options” in regard to the request, the club said.
Kelly’s agent Anthony Van Der Wielen told SEN Breakfast earlier this week that the star midfielder had “real genuine family concerns” for requesting a trade to return back to his home state Western Australia.
But Geelong could push hard to keep him, with coach Chris Scott previously declaring he would “fight tooth and nail” to retain the superstar.
Teammate Gary Ablett, who kicked 34 goals and averaged 20 disposals a game in 2019, is also yet to publicly declare his intentions as to whether he will play at the Cattery next year.
In social media post last weekend, the 35-year-old said he was “honestly unsure” about his future.
“I understand that there’s been a lot of speculation about whether I’ve played my last game or not,” the post read.
“There’s a lot to weigh up but I’m confident that whatever decision is made will be a well thought-out one.”
Meanwhile four-time St Kilda best and fairest Jack Steven looks destined to end up at Geelong after recently holding talks with the Cats.
The 29-year-old is reportedly looking to move closer to family, after growing up in Lorne and playing his under 18 football for Geelong Falcons.
Geelong has also continued its off-season delisting after recently deciding to not offer midfielder Scott Selwood a contract next year.
Selwood arrived at Geelong during the 2015 trade period and went on to play 34 games with the Cats after an eight-year career with West Coast.
The 29-year-old joins former teammates Jordan Cunico and Jamaine Jones who were also informed last week they will not feature in the 2020 Geelong squad.
The trade period will begin next Monday and the 2019 NAB AFL Draft is scheduled to held later next month.
