I could be wrong, but I think you missed the point on most people’s complaint over T Kelly last season,
@Lost In The Sky.
Most people weren’t happy that he desperately needed to get home for family reasons, but would not go home to play for Freo. I think most felt, if the family reason was so dire, and the main reason for shifting, then saying you won’t play for one of the 2 available clubs seems a little contradictory. In essence, the family reason suddenly seemed secondary, so why did he even bring it up!
No I didn't miss the point. I do get that Victorian point of view. But I (and many other over here) reckon the outrage was due to him nominating West Coast. People just did not want Kelly coming to West Coast.
As Spots said... It's well known now that West Coast had put a fair bit of work into him in 2017 and was going to pick him up in the second round. Through a few different unforseen circumstances (Brander still unbelievably available at 13, Oscar Allen still at 21), We thought he'd still be available at 26 due to his family situation and him telling clubs he did not want to go East for that reason. Geelong took the risk, knowing his situation and preferences, and can't be upset at his request to come home.
We had been in constant contact with him for a few years and that is one reason why he wanted to come to West Coast last year. Freo did not show much interest in him until he had played his rookie season and starred... so that helps explain why he nominated us. He (or his manager) did make a mistake by completely ruling out Freo last year, had he publicly still had Freo in the conversation he might have got to West Coast. But the belief over here is Geelong where playing games last year, and would not have traded him under any circumstances.
If he wanted to come home (regardless of the reasons)... Why should he have to accept playing at a club that showed no interest in him previously and where he would not be happy. When there was another club in his home state that was a more attractive destination in a premiership window.
The family reason is not secondary... Never was... It was the sole reason. He said he loves the Geelong club and if the Geelong cats where in Perth he'd play for them here. But they aren't and he just simply didn't want to go to Freo under any circumstances.
The outrage was over the top. And my post this morning was just pointing out the very same thing (Players nominating a destination in a different state) yet those instances don't get any outrage at all.
Nick Riewoldt just a few weeks ago had a tantrum on TV saying Kelly should just go to which of our two clubs had the best picks.... I was pointing out there is no sign of him when Non-Victorian clubs players like Keath nominate just his club... Why no outrage that if Keath wants to move home that there are 9 other Victorian clubs, many with better picks than St.Kilda. Just eerie silence from him and the press.
Geelong have done very well lately paying unders for Dramafield, Unders for Ablett... No outrage when both of them only nominated Geelong was there? Both should have just accepted any Victorian club if they wanted to really get home to Victoria... Regardless of where they preferred to go. But no they got to choose where they wanted to go and got to Geelong without the outrage that has been directed at Kelly and West Coast.