Tim Kelly.
Camera IconTim Kelly. Credit: Supplied/Dan White

AFL Draft: South Fremantle’s Tim Kelly’s ‘greater consistency’ has him in contention after stellar season

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

FLASHY midfielder Tim Kelly believes closing the gap between his best and least productive games drove a stellar campaign which has him in contention for selection at Friday’s AFL draft.

Kelly was a major cog in South Fremantle’s run to a preliminary final in 2017, kicking 26 goals for the season and averaging 26 disposals from 23 games.

His pace, skill, tackling and ability to hit the scoreboard combined to form an exciting package.

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It also scored him runner-up for the Sandover Medal and second in the race for the W.J. Hughes Medal as South Fremantle’s fairest and best.

“This year I think I showed a greater level of consistency,” he said.

“The last few years, especially early on, I was a bit hit and miss.

“I’d play a couple of good games and then drop away.”

The 23-year-old failed only twice to collect 20 disposals in 2017, with one of those matches the preliminary final defeat to Subiaco, where he was hampered by a heavy knee-knock.

As a precaution, he was kept in cotton wool during the draft combine.

While disappointed not to test, he said he still enjoyed the experience chatting to club representatives and supporting other West Australians over in Melbourne.

With that having wrapped in early October, the fourth-year electrical apprentice said he was now playing the waiting game.

“There has been a bit said (about being drafted) but during the season I was really focussed on buying into everything at South Fremantle, so it was easy to block out,” he said.

“I’ve been a bit anxious since the combine – am I staying or am I going – but you just have to take it day by day.”

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