Former West Coast Eagles premiership player Mark LeCras reveals change to Tim Kelly’s game that impressed him

West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly has improved significantly in one area of his game in 2026 and it could help the veteran cement his spot in the Eagles’ side again.

The 31-year-old was sensationally dropped twice last year, including a self-imposed WAFL stint, and despite signing a two-year deal, was left out of the club’s season-opening clash with Gold Coast before being recalled against North Melbourne.

Kelly re-paid the faith with 20 disposals, six tackles and a game-high seven inside 50s in the Eagles’ breakthrough 17-point victory at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

But it was his ability to lead the young side’s defensive game that caught the eye of West Coast premiership hero Mark Lecras.

“I think all footballers have to be resilient these days, it doesn’t take much for anyone to be left out of the side and fighting for a position,” he told The West Australian.

“Particularly when West Coast have to spin the wheels on players and get a look at everyone they’ve got.

“We know Tim Kelly’s a great player, but for him, his defensive impact on Sunday was something that really stood out and is something I feel brings him into the game as well.”

Kelly averaged less than three tackles a game in a career-low last season, down on his numbers from 2024 where he averaged 4.9 tackles per game.

But on Sunday he was ravenous, preventing the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke escaping the contest and feeding his wingers easy ball out the front of stoppages.

And the Eagles will need a similar display on Sunday as they try and shutdown Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.

That pressure also meant he wasn’t required to rotate through the forward line as he did at times last season, fellow veteran Elliot Yeo taking on the role while pinch hitting in the engine room.

The Eagles themselves have also shown a tremendous turnaround in their pressure stats so far in 2026.

Through two games, they are the game’s best tackling team according to Champion Data, having produced 73 against the top-four fancied Suns and 68 against the Kangaroos.

They are also the second-highest pressure team in the competition, registering in the 180s for both encounters.

“It’s something they’re going to need in the midfield throughout the rest of the year,” LeCras said.

“We know what (Tim) can do offensively, but his impact around the contest on Sunday was up another level.”

It will come in handy on Sunday as the Eagles take on an undermanned Port Adelaide midfield with the Power losing marquee ball mover Connor Rozee to injury.

They will be hunting vengeance at Adelaide Oval after suffering a humiliating 73-point hiding from Port Adelaide at Mineral Resources Park in pre-season.