Melbourne great Garry Lyon says Cats midfielder Tim Kelly could be one of the best in the competition in 2019.

Lyon watched the 24-year-old at the club's training session on Monday.

โ€œYou just thought no wonder Geelong are so hell-bent on trying to keep him,โ€ he told SEN Breakfast on Tuesday morning.

โ€œTheyโ€™re going to move heaven and earth to ensure he stays there.

โ€œHeโ€™s had one year of AFL footy.

โ€œYou know what itโ€™s like, once youโ€™re in, once youโ€™ve had a taste, you get the benefit of the work that you do, that can take a long time to kick in.

โ€œThereโ€™s no question heโ€™ll go to another level.

โ€œHe could very well be by the end of the year in the absolute elite category of midfielder.โ€

Kelly had requested a trade home to West Coast in the off-season after his first year of AFL football, but a deal couldnโ€™t be struck, leaving him at the Cats in 2019.

In his debut AFL season, the 24-year-old rookie averaged 23 disposals per game and kicked 23 goals.