It has been a hectic few days of preparations for Tim Kelly, but the boom West Coast recruit is happy his family will join him in the Gold Coast hub.
Only after more information came to light recently did Kelly and partner Caitlin make the call that she and their three sons would travel to Royal Pines Resort.
They were among three families – alongside Liam Ryan and Tom Hickey’s clans - to depart Mineral Resources Park with the travelling party on Monday morning bound for Queensland, with other player and officials’ families a chance to join them in coming weeks.
“Up until a few days ago they weren’t coming, so it’s been pretty hectic for us having to prepare and get things sorted,” Kelly told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“Basically, a lot of the information we’ve received has been very late but once we understood what was there, living arrangements and things like that, and the fact the AFL may spring an extra couple of weeks on us to stay up there myself and Caitlin thought it was best for our family to stay together.
“I know that there is going to be things there for the kids to do and Caitlin to do while I’m off training.
“Living arrangements for myself, I’m not sure what it’s like for the other boys, but we’ve got a house little set up – kitchen, lounge room, dining area, a few rooms.
“Once I found out a little bit more I was feeling a lot more positive about it and happy the family is coming.”
Kelly hit the training track for a light skills session on Monday morning and showed no ill effects of a minor ankle complaint suffered late in Friday night’s match simulation.
“I think I got the ball, I’ve kicked it and 'Yeoy' (Elliot Yeo) has come across to put some pressure on me and his sprigs have gone across the back of my ankle,” Kelly said.
“I was in a lot of pain there for a couple of minutes, but nothing more than a bit of bad bruising and a bad graze.
“I’m fine, moving around today, feeling good, so can’t wait for Saturday.”
While tagger Mark Hutchings continues to work his way back from a knee operation, the majority of the Eagles’ squad is fit and raring to go ahead of facing the Suns at Metricon Stadium for the long-awaited round two of the AFL campaign.
“A lot of us are looking pretty good at the moment and just can’t wait to get going and it’s not too far away now,” Kelly said.
