Tim Kelly

“Got it wrong”: Has mammoth trade cost Eagles?

Two years on, West Coast are deprived of first-round draft talent to bolster their premiership window.

Published by

Mitch Keating

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has reflected on the Eagles' trade that landed midfielder Tim Kelly from Geelong in 2019, believing the fallout has cost West Coast a future of riches.

The Eagles moved on four draft picks - including two first-round selections - in order to acquire Kelly's services as they looked to build on their push for a premiership.

The Cats received picks 14, 24, 37 and future first-round pick in exchange for Kelly, pick 57 and a future third-round selection.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Tim Kelly of the Eagles poses for a photo session for his new club after the West Coast Media Opportunity at Mineral Resources Park on October 09, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cornes put light on the Eagles' scarce income from recent draft years, which he believes has stemmed from the huge 2019 trade swap and will hinder the club for years to come.

“They’ve got it wrong,” Cornes said on Footy Classified.

“You could see it coming from a mile away.

“They’ve had one first-round draft pick, Jarrod Brander, since 2017. Other clubs are going all out and getting two, three, multiple first round draft picks.

“The Eagles have neglected that because of the Tim Kelly trade.”

While the Eagles haven't been as present as other clubs atop the draft order, they have been able to land bargain recruits later into the night's events.

Oscar Allen (Pick 21), Liam Ryan (26) and Jack Petruccelle (38) were all taken after Brander in the 2017 draft.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Oscar Allen of the Eagles runs with the ball during the round four AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

Kelly has been a formidable asset to the Eagles since arriving in Perth, flourishing in a stacked midfield group that includes the likes of Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey.

The Eagles are facing an uphill battle to add a fifth AFL flag in 2021, with some believing the club should concede their premiership window is closing and look to the future.

West Coast have been urged to consider moving on gun duo Gaff and Yeo to bolster their draft hand for the future.

Despite being on the verge of locking in a seventh straight finals series, the Eagles are placed well behind the six clubs above when it comes to their premiership credentials.

Adam Simpson's side have the chance to send a warning to the rest of the league as they host premiership contenders Melbourne in Round 21.

Published by

Mitch Keating

3 years ago