West Coast Eagles star Tim Kelly fails to demand AFL recall as Subiaco notch first WAFL victory of the seaosn

Dropped West Coast star Tim Kelly has failed to demand an AFL recall with an underwhelming performance in the WAFL. Kelly was banished to the reserves side ahead of the club’s Gather Round clash with Carlton on Saturday, in a massive selection statement by new coach Andrew McQualter. The 30-year-old imposed himself in the opening minutes with the first clearance game, a darting pass inside 50, as the Eagles kicked the opening goal at Mineral Resources Park on Friday night. But Kelly was restricted to just seven disposals in the first half by former teammate Greg Clark, before the injury-plagued midfield bull and Subiaco captain was forced from the ground with a corked thigh. A classy goal late in the first term, as Kelly roved the stoppage inside 50 and broke through the pack to get it on his boot, was a moment to savour as teammates swarmed the 2023 club champion.. He finished the game with 20 disposals, five tackles and a goal, while impressive draftee Lucca Grego had a team-high 23 touches in the 13.14 (92) to 9.19 (73) loss. It is the first time Kelly has played a WAFL game since he represented South Fremantle in 2017, prior to being drafted by Geelong. Top West Coast draftee Bo Allan (illness) was a late out for the Eagles, while Loch Rawlinson also came into the side alongside Kelly’s fellow AFL omissions Tyler Brockman and Noah Long. Rawlinson was involved early, with a kick destined for a goal fumbled on the line by forward/ruck Coen Livingstone, before the big man got it on the boot for the opening major. Subiaco responded with four of the next five goals, as key forwards Ryan Borchet, Jack Mayo and Archer May imposed themselves. A composed set shot from Jobe Shanahan and Kelly’s finish kept the margin in check early before Borchet added his third to take a 16-point lead into the first break. As rain continued to fall in Lathlain, both teams wasted opportunities in front of goal. The Eagles added just 1.5, while the Lions fared slightly better with 2.8 to extend the margin to 25 points at the main break. The Eagles, with extra legs on the bench, improved on the ground but not in front of the sticks in the third quarter with the deficit the same at three-quarter time. Both sides traded blows late but the Lions never looked in doubt as they notched up a comfortable 19-point victory. Borchet finished with a game-high five goals, while Marlin Corbett was the most prolific ball-winner with 27 disposals. Taj Schofield was also impressive with 21 touches, while May kicked two. SCOREBOARD SUBIACO 6.1 8.9 10.14 13.14 (92) WEST COAST 3.3 4.8 6.13 9.19 (73) GOALS –SUBIACO R Borchet 5 A May 3 R Bartlett 2 K Eaton J Mayo J Robbins. WEST COAST: J Shanahan 3 M Champion M Flynn T Kelly C Livingstone S Lucassen J Petruccelle. BEST – SUBIACO: M Corbett T Schofield R Borchet A May W Hickmott. WEST COAST: L Grego J Shanahan M Flynn S Lucassen T Kelly. INJURIES: G Clark (corked thigh) C Abala (concussion) B Allan (illness) T Edwards-Baldwin M Mumme C Brown replaced in selected side by T Brockman N Long T Kelly L Rawlinson (AFL). UMPIRES: R McCaw R Shelton N Bevan CROWD: 850 at Mineral Resources Park