Geelong has officially traded Tim Kelly to West Coast with the Cats landing a “huge return” for the star midfielder, according to the club today.
The 25-year-old has joined the Eagles on a six-year deal believed to be worth about $5 million.
The Cats will receive selections 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s national draft from the Eagles, along with their first selection in the 2020 draft under the deal.
In return, West Coast will gain Geelong’s pick 57 this year and a third-round selection in 2020.
Geelong’s list manager Stephen Wells said the club was set on “securing the best deal” in compensation for Kelly’s departure.
“The selections we have secured will give us the best opportunity to add high-end talent to our list in the upcoming national draft,” he said.
“Tim was obviously an exceptional player for us, but we are excited by the possibilities the draft picks we have secured offer us.”
Kelly played 48 games in two seasons for the Cats after moving to the club from Western Australia following the 2017 national draft.
He was selected in this year’s All Australian team, came fifth at this year’s Brownlow and finished second in Geelong’s best and fairest for both seasons.
Kelly initially requested a trade to the Eagles at the end of the 2018 season following his strong desire to return to his home state but Geelong refused to trade him.
The out-of-contract Cat again nominated the Eagles as his preferred club last week but an agreed deal was required between the two clubs to allow the move to go ahead.
