Kurt Tippett with fellow key forward Taylor Walker after the 2012 preliminary final loss against Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun
CROWS public enemy No. 1 Kurt Tippett has been spared being thrown to the wolves against his old club next year.
His 11-match ban for draft tampering and salary cap cheating rules him out of the much-anticipated grudge match against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 11.
But in a strange twist of fate, Tippett's first game for the Swans - provided he ends up with the premier - could still be in Adelaide.
Sydney has the bye in round 12 but plays Port Adelaide at AAMI in round 13.
Such a scenario could result in as many Crows fans turning up to boo Tippett as Power fans do to cheer their team.
Sydney last night reaffirmed its desire to secure Tippett in the pre-season draft, despite his half-a-season ban.
"Although the decision is obviously a disappointing setback for Kurt, we have always seen Kurt as a long-term player," Swans general manager of football Dean Moore said in a statement.
"We will go to the pre-season draft with the intention of selecting him if he's available at our pick."
Tippett's other suitor, Greater Western Sydney - which owns the first pick at the pre-season draft - said it would not be put off by him missing so much football.
His price, however, could be a different matter.
Tippett - who has made no secret of his desire to join Sydney - will on Monday put a price on his head, which is expected to be the $3.5 million over four years the Swans offered him to leave Adelaide during the trade period.
Giants chief executive David Matthews said the club's position hadn't changed because of Tippett's hefty ban.
"We note the sanctions handed down by the AFL Commission and we now have a clear understanding of Kurt Tippett's availability for the 2013 season," Matthews said in a statement.
"We now want to see the financial terms on which he will nominate for the (December 11) draft so we can assess his affordability.
"We also have to consider whether he is the right fit for the club as we continue to build a strong culture amongst our young playing group.
"These are all factors we will now carefully consider over the coming days before making a decision on whether to draft him with our first selection."
Tippett - who also banned from playing in the pre-season competition and was fined $50,000 - accepted guilt for his misdemeanours but blamed the Crows for leading him astray.
"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," he said in a statement.
"It is bitterly disappointing, then, to learn that my trust and best endeavours have been to my substantial detriment.
"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 in the hope that the truth would be revealed.
"I pleaded guilty to the two charges on advice without any admission of liability and despite being assured there were valid defences available to me in respect to both charges.
"It is very important to me that I concentrate on preparing for next season and remove all distractions from my preparation. I am glad that this matter is now finalised and I look forward to moving on and playing football."
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