Kurt Tippett

[OnSong]

Mark Riccuito:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/queensland-beckons-kurt-tippett-is-on-his-way-home-writes-adelaide-crows-champion-mark-ricciuto/story-e6frf3e3-1226449749029

I hate to say it, but I think Kurt Tippett is going home.

Most people know I like a punt, and if I was to have my last $20 on something now, it would be Tippett won't be at Adelaide Crows next season.

In fact, I think it's greater than a 90 per cent chance.

Base it on this - if he wanted to stay in Adelaide, had a five-year deal on the table for big money (in the vicinity of $3 million to $3.5 million) and had just suffered three serious concussions, why wouldn't he sign?

He'd be putting pen to paper as quickly as he could.

Even if he did not have the concussions, why wouldn't he be signing?

If it was over money, he would have been asking for more, but he hasn't. He has put it on hold.

He would be the Crows' highest-paid player at a club with a great future which can provide everything he needs to set himself up both on and off the field.

History has shown that players who put their contracts on hold until the end of the year are the ones who walk away. Gary Ablett, Tom Scully and Jack Gunston come to mind.

Compare them to the way that Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker handled their long-term deals this season and it's quite a contrast. Players know if they want to stay or go.

It's not that hard a decision, especially when you've had plenty of time to think.

Another interesting fact in the Tippett case is that shortly after the mid-season break in which he went home to contemplate his future with his family, his relationship with his Adelaide girlfriend ended.

It looks to me that his mind was made up there and then and he didn't want the relationship to stand in the way of his decision.

We know Tippett has always said he's a "beach boy at heart" and we know he has two properties on the Gold Coast.

We know he is very close to his family and we know his dad plays a major role in his decision making.

There's nothing wrong with any of what I've mentioned above.

It was very interesting to me that last week Adelaide declared their hand on the fact that they were chasing free agents Travis Cloke and Brendon Goddard.

It's highly unusual for Adelaide to go public with these plans, which says to me that maybe even they think Tippett's chances of going home are growing by the day.

I wonder whether it was more of a ploy towards the Tippett camp that life will go on without him.

One thing that Kurt Tippett needs to base his decision on is whether he values winning premierships more than being at home.

The Crows' premiership window is well and truly open, in fact it will open even wider in the next two years. Whereas Gold Coast's window is closed and will be for at least another three years and Brisbane's has a pretty big padlock on it at the moment.

Tippett needs to remember what it was like last year when the Crows were floundering in the bottom eight and think back to how much he was enjoying his football then and compare that to what it's been like this year.

Gold Coast should one day be a very good football side but they still have a long way to go with queries remaining on coach Guy McKenna and whether AFL footy can flourish there.

Crowds of 10,000 to 15,000 will be the norm compared to 40,000-plus at the new Adelaide Oval.

Brisbane on the other hand still have a lot of work on and off the field to get back to their glory days.

But if Tippett has made up his mind, where does that leave Adelaide?

Last year I wrote that the Crows should trade Tippett because of a rumoured contract clause that if he wanted to return to Queensland, Adelaide would only receive a second-round draft pick, which is clearly inadequate.

I've since learned that the 'clause' may have been more of a gentleman's agreement rather than one written into a contract and therefore might not be honoured at all.

If this is the case then the No.1 priority for Adelaide must be to get the best deal possible at the trade table.

[Brodlach]

I know he is a good player but if wants to go home, let him go. Like the look of Jenkins, Lynch and Johnston so we have cover. David MacKay hasnt signed yet and if we can offer a little more money to him if Tippet goes it is worth it. IMO doesnt deserve to be the highest paid player at the club.

[Bigshow82]

I know he is a good player but if wants to go home, let him go. Like the look of Jenkins, Lynch and Johnston so we have cover. David MacKay hasnt signed yet and if we can offer a little more money to him if Tippet goes it is worth it. IMO doesnt deserve to be the highest paid player at the club.

I agree with you Brodlach. One player leaving wont kill the team, it will just give another player an opportunity to flourish. Like one of the 3 you have mentioned. When Bock left we thought we would struggle for a CHB, then Davis stepped up......... and left, now its Talia doing the job. Adelaide at present seem very good at covering key positions with their recruiting. If he wants to go let him go but make sure we get the best deal possible.

[Brodlach]

Interesting thought, had Bock and Davis still been here, Talia probably wouldnt have played a game (or not many)

[tigermad]

i say let him go regardless one more concussion and he will be finished anyway! he is not the best forward at the crows anymore and we have plenty of back up to replace him,free up some cash and use it on a free agent ? and don't play him in the finals if he has not signed before hand??

[TEX07]

I'm a little dirty if he leaves, he demanded big money for the last two years and has delivered nothing. Understand that there is a lure home here, but this was there two years ago when he became the clubs highest player. If he goes he has used the club for coin and chased more IMO. He could be a great player and a big asset to the club but he will always be on loan from QLD. They should use the money freed up and chase another big name. With his head injuries he may not even ever reach his potential now, I personally cant see him going for the big pack mark as often with the concussion hanging over him now.

[Psyber]

The market for him may have dried up now.
Recruiters may share my concern that he is going to have to make the same choice as Scott Stevens and quit the game before he suffers a permanent brain injury.

[CUTTERMAN]

I think Adelaide should look for a trade if a good one can be struck. The problem is that Adelaide may re-sign him on a two year contract (they would be wise not to do any longer due to his concussion issues) and have the same dramas with him in two years time and then the same again in another two years time etc etc etc.
Adelaide don't need that crap. Tippett may realize that his worth has gone down considerably, maybe not so much in dollar terms but in longevity of his contract, any club looking at signing him will be very wary of his concussion issues. I hope Adelaide play hard ball this weekend when they meet with his manager and then look to re-signing McKay. Time to move on Adelaide.

[Ken Whelan Fan]

Yes he's tall and handy but he's no Gun any key forward KPI's are goals kicked
and influence on the game.
Pavlich is a gun.....Tippett isnt
If he wants to go let him but I wouldnt pick him in my team inless
he signed

[Dog_ger]

Staying for another 2 years.

[Sorry Dude]

Staying for another 2 years.

where did you hear this??

[piccachu]

Staying for another 2 years.

just been told he is staying in adelaide by a very good source

[Sorry Dude]

Staying for another 2 years.

just been told he is staying in adelaide by a very good source

michalangelo rucci doesn't count!

[piccachu]

michalangelo rucci doesn't count!

hahahaha, i would be happy to put a wager on it

[Coach Bombay]

someone who has a daughter working at the AFC said Tippett is 100% staying

[tigermad]

I reckon he will stay , you play footy to win grand finals ! if he went home he has no chance of seeing a final let alone a gf !! if he stays he will play finals and has a very good chance to play in a gf with the crows,if he is only chasing the $$$ good luck see ya later!! Josh Jenkins will fill the role prob better than him anyway?

[CUTTERMAN]

I don't think he's chasing the money, I doubt he'd get much more at either GC or Brisbane. I think it's more family and home and personally I don't have a problem with that. You could say he's been chasing the money by staying in Adelaide. The good thing is that Adelaide is a strong and principaled club that won't get sucked into this sort of stuff, they'll make their offer on Saturday and if he doesn't take it they'll move on.

[Footy Smart]

apparently no 'out' clause in Tippos contract which has been rumoured... Brisbane and Gold Coast will have to give more for him then if they really want him.

[tigermad]

redden for tippet plus draft pick !!

[the joker]

Tippo was outstanding today. Have to keep him