Tim Kelly (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tim Kelly |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Kelly playing for Geelong in August 2018
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Timothy Kelly | ||
| Date of birth | 26 July 1994 | ||
| Original team | (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 24, 2017 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2018, Geelong v. Melbourne, at MCG |
||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | West Coast | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
|||
Timothy Kelly (born 26 July 1994) is a professional Australian rules footballer. He plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Before joining the Eagles, he played for the Geelong Football Club from 2018 to 2019.
Contents
About Tim Kelly
Early Life and First Steps in Football
Tim Kelly grew up in Perth, Western Australia. He started playing junior football for a team called Palmyra. His father is an Indigenous Australian, and his mother is from Chile.
He began his senior football career in 2013. He played in the WAFL for the South Fremantle Football Club. In 2014, he was almost the best player for his club. In 2017, he was runner-up for the Sandover Medal. This award goes to the best player in the WAFL.
Before becoming a professional footballer, Tim was training to be an electrician. He has a partner, Caitlin Miller, and they have three sons.
Playing for Geelong
Geelong picked Tim in the 2017 AFL draft. He was the 24th player chosen overall. He was a bit older than most draftees.
He played his first AFL game in 2018. It was against Melbourne at the MCG. Geelong won that game by just three points. In 2018, other players voted him the Best First Year Player. This was part of the AFL Players' Association Awards.
At the end of 2018, Tim wanted to move to the West Coast Eagles. This was for family reasons. The Eagles had not picked him in earlier drafts. Geelong did not want to trade him at first. They could not agree on a deal.
In 2019, Tim had a fantastic year. He was chosen for the All-Australian team. This team features the best players from across the league. He also helped Geelong reach the preliminary final. He finished in the top 5 for the Brownlow Medal. This award is for the league's best and fairest player. After this great season, he again asked to move to the Eagles for family reasons. He was finally traded to the Eagles on 9 October 2019.
Joining the West Coast Eagles
Tim's wish to join the Eagles came true. The Eagles traded several draft picks to get him. They gave up Picks 14, 24, 37, and a future first-round pick. Tim signed a six-year contract with the West Coast Eagles. It was worth about $5 million.
Tim has continued to be a strong player for the Eagles. In 2021, he won the Glendinning–Allan Medal. This medal is given to the best player in specific derby games. In 2023, he won the John Worsfold Medal. This award goes to the West Coast Eagles' best and fairest player.
Tim has played over 140 games in his AFL career. He is a key midfielder for the West Coast Eagles.
