GEELONG coach Chris Scott has sung the praises of Tim Kelly, saying the star midfielder has produced a Garry Ablett-esque display at struggling West Coast.
The Eagles gave up two first-round draft picks as part of the deal to prise Kelly from Geelong at the end of 2019.
West Coast's premiership window seemed well and truly open at the time, and the club was hopeful Kelly's arrival would help them win at least one more flag.
But the ageing Eagles are now in the early stages of one of the club's biggest ever rebuilds, with the team facing a fight just to avoid the wooden spoon this year.
If West Coast loses to Geelong at Optus Stadium on Saturday, it would extend the Eagles' losing streak to nine - a new record for the club.
Kelly has worn the brunt of plenty of external criticism purely because of what West Coast had to give up to get him.
Form-wise, Kelly has held up his end of the bargain, with the 27-year-old averaging 25 disposals and 5.9 clearances per game this season.
West Coast sits last on the ladder with a 1-11 record and a woeful percentage of 50.7.
Scott says what Kelly is doing at struggling West Coast shouldn't be underestimated.
"He's gone to a team that hasn't been performing all that well and he's prospered as an individual," Scott said.
"It reminds me a little bit of Gary Ablett when he went to Gold Coast.
"In some ways it's harder to play really well as an individual in a team that's struggling.
"I've got great admiration for (Kelly) in that respect."
Scott even cheekily suggested he would be "all ears" if Kelly ever wanted to return to the Cats.
Kelly's exit helped Geelong land star GWS forward Jeremy Cameron at the end of 2020.
Cameron has booted 38 goals in 12 games this season, including a six-goal haul in the 13-point win over the Bulldogs before the bye.
The 29-year-old will be aiming for another big haul against West Coast on Saturday, with his partner in crime Tom Hawkins (33 goals this season) also licking his lips.
West Coast's bid to end its debilitating losing run received a massive boost when premiership stars Jeremy McGovern, Willie Rioli, Elliot Yeo, and Dom Sheed were cleared to return to AFL action.
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Geelong welcomes back Sam Menegola for his first AFL game of the season, while Jake Kolodjashnij also returns.
Gary Rohan (recent stint in COVID protocols) and Brandan Parfitt (hand) go out of the side, while star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield (calf) will miss another week.
