Kurt Tippett has separated himself from the results of the AFL Commission hearing into Adelaide's draft tampering saga, washing his hands of guilt despite copping an 11-match suspension.
The Commission delivered their punishments to Crows chief Steve Trigg and football operations manager Phil Harper as well as Tippett, while also restricting Adelaide's draft involvement in 2013 to round three onwards.
But despite pleading guilty to involvement in the arrangement to allow Tippett to move to the club of his choice for a second-round draft pick at the culmination of the 2012 season, the key forward released a statement shortly after the announcement of his suspension, claiming he only learned of the illegal clause in his contract recently - despite the AFL announcing it was agreed to in 2009.
"I trusted the Adelaide Football Club and for the duration of my contract I did my utmost for the club on and off the field. It is bitterly disappointing, then, to learn that my trust and best endeavours have been to my substantial detriment," the statement from Tippett read.
"Only during the recent AFL trade period did I learn that some terms in the Adelaide offer may have contravened AFL rules, and since that point I and all parties associated with me have co-operated fully with the AFL in its investigations.
"I have nothing to hide and have only refrained from media comment in recent weeks on legal advice and out of respect for the AFL investigation process. Through my legal representative I asked for an open hearing today in the hope that the truth would be revealed."
Tippett added he entered a guilty plea 'without any admission of liability', washing his hands of involvement in the spiralling saga.
The club Tippett is destined to reach, Sydney, also released a statement following the announcement on Friday night, declaring their intention to pursue the forward in the pre-season draft.
"Although today's decision is obviously a disappointing setback for Kurt, we have always seen Kurt as a long-term player and we will go to the pre-season draft with the intention of selecting him if he's available at our pick," Sydney football manager Dean Moore said.
Should he become a Swan, Tippett will be available to debut for his new side in Round 13 - the Swans have a bye in Round 12 - when John Longmire's side travel to take on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
9 Comments
Paulski is correct - He had to know - his manager tells him what is going on - He doesn't have to be an intellectual- he just has to be greedy - so greedy (like his manager) - He is a scumbag and now he is the innocent party.......... He started it and now its over his head........Why do we always blame the victim? and not the perpetrators..............And why did he say he was heading home when he knew he was going elsewhere...............The suns were ready to take him and had the money............What a sham.... No matter where he goes.... he will cause trouble - and the sad part about all of this - is that he is not worth a quarter of what he is getting........
ReplyRooster suspects his boyfriend is gay as he keeps telling me his boyfriends willy tastes like shite
Replycome on people. you give too much credit to Tippet. Hes too dumb to realize he was getting an extra $300k outside of his contract. Being from Adelaide its a usable defense
ReplyTippet should count himself lucky he got aweay with the penalty he did. It still seems odd that this player remains able to niminate his price in a further manipulatiin of the draft system!
ReplyWatch out Sydney, West Coast and Fremantle .... your're next!!!
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