West Coast captain Liam Duggan backs ‘standout’ midfielder Tim Kelly to fight his way back into AFL side

West Coast captain Liam Duggan has backed an “ultimate professional” Tim Kelly to work his way back into the Eagles’ best 23 after he was a surprise omission from their season opener. Kelly was named as an emergency for the Eagles’ round one clash against Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Sunday despite being declared fit after dealing with a hamstring niggle over the past few weeks. The 2023 John Worsfold medallist has fallen down the pecking order of a new-look midfield that will feature the return of dual All-Australian Elliot Yeo and Brisbane recruit Deven Robertson. Kelly was dropped twice last year – once by himself – because of form but was still handed a two-year contract extension on good money. However, the 31-year-old will now have to fight his way back into the wooden spooners’ best side under second year coach Andrew McQualter. Duggan said Kelly had been a “standout” in the midfield this pre-season and would be back in the AFL side “at some stage” in 2026. “It is disappointing for Tim. He’s had a little hamstring injury over the past couple of weeks that he’s been recovering from too, but he’s done a great job,” Duggan told The West Australian. “He’s an ultimate professional and he’s been able to get himself back and ready. He’s missed out this week, but we were really happy with the form that he built over the last month of pre-season. “He’s been a standout through that midfield but the depth and some of the players that have been rolling through there now are quite handy. “Tim being Tim, he’s a ripping bloke, he wants what’s best for the team. He’ll be OK, he’ll be disappointed, but I don’t doubt that he will be back in the side at some stage during the year.” Kelly isn’t the only senior player left out of the side, with former Carlton forward Matt Owies left at home to play a WAFL pre-season game against South Fremantle. Defender Rhett Bazzo was a travelling emergency alongside Kelly, with pre-season recruit Finn Macrae left at home after also being overlooked.