When Tim Kelly crossed from Geelong at the end of 2019 to West Coast, he didn't anticipate what was to come.
In fact, no one could.
The Eagles had claimed the 2018 premiership and ironically were eliminated by the Cats in the semi-final 12 months later.
Kelly claimed a maiden All-Australian blazer and the AFLCA Best Young Player award in 2019, and after a failed attempt to return to Western Australia the year before, his wish was granted.
West Coast, believing they were well within the premiership window, gave up Picks 14, 24, 37 and a future first-round selection for Kelly and Pick 57, who signed a six-year deal at the time.
But what ensued in March 2020 enveloped the world, with COVID-19 taking hold of life as we knew it.
The AFL season was flipped on its head, and despite the heavily interrupted campaign, Kelly and the Eagles finished fifth and would host Collingwood in an elimination final.
It was the former Cat's first and only final to date at West Coast.
Since then, the West Australian club has battled with player availability, with the virus, as well as a ridiculous amount of injuries, placing a strangle on coach Adam Simpson's side, reflected by the use of 47 players in 2022 and subsequent 17th-placed finish.
The past three campaigns have yielded a total of 10 victories and a wooden spoon (2023), which Kelly admits has begun to wane on him.
"It's been a tough few years and I'm not the only one," Kelly said.
"Everyone here has been working really hard and not getting much reward.
"It's been frustrating, to say the least, but it's got to turn around eventually."
Kelly enters 2025 in the final year of his contract that he signed when crossing from Geelong and reveals the turmoil he's faced has put a strain on his love of the game.
"To be honest, for me, it's about honing in on what I've got to do, get my body right โฆ my love of the game hasn't been great over the last couple of years," Kelly admitted.
"There's a lot of contract talk and this and that, but I'm just trying to love the game again. And hopefully that comes."
Kelly will feature for the Indigenous All Stars against Fremantle on Saturday night, one month out from West Coast's season opener against Gold Coast on March 16.
