Kurt Tippett will join Sydney pre-season training on Wednesday as the Swans look to make the salary cap cheat their latest recycled player success story.
The ex-Adelaide forward's fight to join the reigning premiers survived an AFL probe and lasted more than two months but finally ended at Tuesday's pre-season draft where the Swans snared him with pick 11.
The 202cm goal-kicker had been seeking to reach the Swans since October's trade and free agency period.
But his move was delayed by a drawn-out investigation into draft and salary cap breaches by the Crows and Tippett, for which the spearhead will have to sit out the first 11 rounds of 2013.
"We set out, it seems like a long time ago now, to get Kurt Tippett to our football club," Sydney coach John Longmire said.
"To be able to do that today, we're very pleased.
"In the end the result for the footy club is we get him through the door and we think he'll be a good footballer for us for a long time.
"He was just relieved.
"He's obviously been through a really trying time and he's relieved to be on the Sydney Swans' list.
"Now the work starts."
Whether Tippett fits into Sydney's famous team-first mentality remains to be seen given the 25-year-old will be paid significantly more than his new team-mates after the Swans were the only club in the AFL able to meet his wage demands of $3.55 million over four years.
But his fat wallet and inflated profile won't guarantee him selection, according to Longmire.
"We don't comment on what he's getting paid," he said.
"What we do comment on, and what really matters internally, is how he goes about his business.
"That's what Kurt will be judged on internally, how hard he prepares and how well he attacks the game and competes on a weekend when he's able to get back and play.
"He'll get himself in the best possible shape to have an impact at the back end of the year."
The Swans will unveil Tippett at a media conference on Wednesday morning.
3 Comments
One or two more concusion's and he wont be playing anyway,,,,,and walk away with the 3.55 mill
Replynegative, ugly,defencive cheating duds.Bad for the image of the game.Above $10 million salary cap=cheats.
ReplyTippett is an overrated player and not worth $3. 55 million over 4 years. He is a greedy money hungry dud player anyway. He does not deserve to be playing at all after all that scandall at the Adelaide.
Reply