Sometimes, games can come down to the class and poise of one or two key players. Few contests epitomised this more than Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium. North Melbourne genuinely came to play, and for much of their clash with Geelong, looked capable of knocking the premiership fancies off their perch. Stream North Melbourne v Geelong Cats on KAYO SPORTS. Live & anytime in HD. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly > The problem was, Geelong had that extra touch of class — and it primarily came in the form of Tim Kelly. The West Australian revelation was well-held in the opening term, but got off the chain in the second stanza — and quickly started to make an impact. By half-time, Kelly had racked up 15 disposals and kicked a classy goal — threaded from the boundary from long-range. “At the start of the match, they put a lot of time into Kelly,” Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy said on Fox Footy. “But if you have a look (at this goal), he’s just sitting by himself. Ziebell who’s there, was putting some pressure along with Cunnington and they are both going their own way. “Kelly just walks straight through the middle of this, he’s got Gary Ablett there. He’s free, so that message hasn’t got through to the players, that Gary Ablett’s a fair player and he needs some attention at stoppages. “You can’t let Kelly off the hook- if he’s not the best midfielder in the game right now, he’s also in the conversation. That is just quality. His last four or five minutes since they basically released the shackles has allowed him to just start dominating.” Tim Kelly dominated again. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Kelly requested a trade to West Coast to be closer to family last year, but ultimately stayed at the Cattery when a trade could not be agreed upon. Former Melbourne and Sydney coach Paul Roos said Kelly’s pure influence made him a genuine million-dollar-per-year prospect, citing Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph’s report the Cat could be worth Fremantle making a ‘godfather’ offer to secure him. “I’m not sure a million dollars is out of the question – it’s right in the question - because this fella has not single-handedly, we talked about seven possessions about halfway through the second quarter,” Roos said. “And he has been incredible. Just an absolutely fantastic player. “And has to be in the conversation for the Brownlow, top 10 players in the competition, whatever you like to call it … so I would think Ralphy’s pretty well on the mark… when he talks about an offer to get this fella away from Geelong. “I suspect now he’s a bit more comfortable now and may stay.” And while Kelly was working his magic in the midfield, teammate Gary Ablett was making an impact up forward. Ablett booted two goals in the second term, then another pair as the Roos made their move in the final term — with his majors enough to snuff out a North Melbourne comeback. Geelong’s Gary Ablett celebrates a goal. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia “It’s amazing they can have two such dangerous players in Kelly and Ablett allowed to do whatever they want,” Roos said. Meanwhile, Kelly continued to go on his merry way, working his way to 28 disposals at the final break, along with adding another classy goal to his game. “There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s become a highly respected player in our game, there’s no doubt about it, in a short space of time,” dual North Melbourne premiership player David King said on Fox Footy. “But what damage he brings to the game. Two goals so far today, 28 disposals, he’s all the talk. “The Kangaroos can’t stop him, it’s as simple as that, he’s far too quick for them.” Kelly wasn’t done yet, either. Tim Kelly. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images The 24-year-old just kept working, racking up another eight disposals to finish the game with 36 touches, 21 contested possessions, two goals, seven tackles, 11 clearances, 10 score involvements, three direct goal assists and 667 metres gained. It was a match-winning performance in every sense. North Melbourne had guts, competitiveness and a genuine crack at Geelong. But they didn’t have Kelly — and ultimately his class proved the difference. “Who would have thought when last year all the discussion was about the holy trinity, that we’re talking about someone other than those three?” Healy said of the West Australian. And you sense the talk about Kelly is only just beginning. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! Follow Round 8 of the 2019 AFL season in our live blog below. IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT, TAP HERE!<doc-sep>Joel Selwood was a late in, then late out. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) Joel Selwood will not face North Melbourne, with Geelong including their captain as a late inclusion, before withdrawing him from their team in a late change. Selwood was named in the Cats’ final team, replacing fellow midfielder Sam Menegola. But less than an hour before the game kicked off, the Cats confirmed Selwood was a late out, with Charlie Constable replacing him in their 22. Both Selwood and Constable were in Geelong’s original extended squad of 26. The Geelong captain had missed the Round 7 win over Essendon with general soreness and was not named in the Cats’ 22 for Round 8, initially being named an emergency. Meanwhile star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, who was under a fitness cloud with a knee complaint, has been cleared to play. Joel Selwood won’t return after all. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) Source: AAP North Melbourne has also made one late change, having already made a change on Saturday. Marley Williams is a late withdrawal, with defender Sam Durdin replacing him in the Kangaroos team. On Saturday, the Kangaroos called up youngster Curtis Taylor to debut, replacing the injured Scott Thompson.<doc-sep>
Geelong champion Gary Ablett could come under scrutiny for a late hit on North Melbourne’s Sam Wright. In the second quarter of the Cats’ clash with the Kangaroos, Wright had disposed of the ball when Ablett caught him high and late with a swinging arm. Wright received a free kick for the high contact, while teammate Robbie Tarrant immediately remonstrated with Ablett. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > “I don’t think it was major contact to be honest. It looks uglier than what it is,” dual premiership Kangaroo David King said on Fox Footy. “I know it’s not the act we want to see in the game. “He walked the fine line, he walked the tightrope last week. Does he go for that again, I’m not sure. “Is there a cumulative effect with the MRO – I don’t know what the situation is. “But look, I’d be surprised if he goes for that.” The incident came a week after Ablett’s hit on Essendon star Dylan Shiel. Ablett was initially rubbed out for one week, the first time in his 328-game career, but was able to beat the charge upon challenging at the tribunal. The Cats successfully had the charge downgraded from international to careless conduct, which resulted in a fine for the dual Brownlow Medallist. Ablett starred against North Melbourne, finishing with 16 touches and four goals in a 24-point win.