Tim Kelly’s partner Caitlin Miller has hit back at trolls who targeted her children with disgusting messages in the wake of the Geelong star’s trade request.

Kelly this week asked to be traded to West Coast after a season which saw him named an All-Australian and finish fifth in the Brownlow Medal count.

The couple have long expressed a desire to return to WA after struggling with raising their three children, two of whom have autism, away from extended family.

The request, it appears, was not taken well by at least one Cats fan, with Ms Miller sharing their disturbing direct message on Instagram last night.

“Take ur fat, ugly kids home and leave Tim here,” the message read.

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Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Miller said she had tried to laugh off the abuse, and that it was nowhere near as bad as what the family received last off-season.

Camera Icon Ms Miller shared this on Instagram last night. Credit: Instagram

“Last year I got called a c**t, they wished cancer on me and that the whole house burned down with us all in it,” she said.

“I was sad then but now I laugh and think they are funny, they just look like fools.

“We’re just normal people like everyone else. You can't please everyone... we’re a strong family unit.”

In a statement yesterday, Kelly’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen said the family’s decision to seek a trade to West Coast was all due to family.

However he could yet land at Fremantle, with Geelong chasing the best possible deal in return for the breakout mature-aged draftee.

“It is well known by all that are close to Tim and his partner Caitlin that their young family are dealing with some significant challenges with two of their three children being classified as autistic,” van der Wielen said.

“Tim and his family need to be at home surrounded by family and friends who can best assist them with therapy and support.

“After careful consideration Tim and Caitlin believe that West Coast can best provide the right environment for him and his family to prosper.”

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