The Tim Kelly trade whispers are getting louder.

The South Fremantle product is yet to commit to Geelong beyond next season and looks increasingly likely to request a move back to Western Australia.

Kelly was overlooked by both WA clubs in several drafts before the Cats nabbed him with pick 24 last year.

He grabbed his long-awaited chance at AFL level with both hands, averaging 23 disposals and booting 24 goals in 23 games to win the best first-year player gong at the AFL Players’ Association awards.

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According to Crocmedia journalist Damien Barrett, West Coast are well ahead of Fremantle in their bid to secure the 24-year-old’s signature.

“There’s still issues to wade through on that front and West Coast is closing very hard now, well in front of Fremantle the way I read it, when it comes to the Perth interest,” Barrett told the AFL Trade Radio Podcast.

Former AFL coach Terry Wallace said locking in Kelly long-term should be a high priority for the Cats.

“They just can’t afford to let a player like that walk out the door,” Wallace said.