They made an error in overlooking him for so many years, but that may not mean West Coast or Fremantle miss out on Tim Kelly completely.

The South Fremantle gun has stunned the AFL with his form at Geelong this season.

Drafted by the Cats at pick No.24 last year, the 23-year-old has averaged 22 disposals and a goal in his first seven games, contributing on a level with teammates Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood.

But where his future lies is unclear. Kelly is on a two-year draftee contract at the Cats, with The Herald Sun reporting he has rebuffed early approaches regarding a contract extension.

It is believed he wants to wait to see how his family, Kelly and his partner Caitlin have three children under three years old, settle in the area, with their entire extended family back home in Perth.

Kelly’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen told the Herald Sun a long-term decision take some consideration.

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“It will all come down to the family and can everybody stay in Geelong? We’ll just have to wait and see.”