Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett at pre-season training in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph
CONTROVERSIAL Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett talks to Neil Cordy about the Swans, being a villain and his salary-cap ban.
How are you settling into the Swans?
I couldn't be happier. Coming into the team a little bit later than I expected was a little bit daunting. I thought it might be hard to get to know the boys, but they've been incredible in welcoming me.
Did you ever think you wouldn't make it here?
Nothing was certain during the (contract drama) so it was hard to feel confident about my chances of getting to Sydney. It's great that it worked out.
You are the first player since Greg Williams in 1992 to be penalised for a salary-cap breach, do you feel hard done by?
That's a tough question to answer. I feel very fortunate to be in Sydney, where I always wanted to be. In regards to the sanction, it's very disappointing that I can't play and I will find it very hard to sit out the first 11 rounds of this season.
I'm trying to move forward the best I can with the cards I've been dealt. I'll spend all my time and energy trying to play the best I can when I get back.
Your first game back will be in Adelaide against the Power, what are you expecting?
I'll probably be a bit nervous having sat out for so long. I'll be anxious to get out there and put my best foot forward and hit the ground running. It will be a bit of an odd one going back to Adelaide for the first one I play for my new side, but that's the way it is. There will be a lot of things going through my head.
Kurt Tippett leaves the AFL Commission with his legal counsel David Gallbally. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: adelaidenow
Do you think there will be Crows supporters turning up to give you some stick?
Quite possibly. Hopefully there are some people there to support me.
An unnamed Adelaide player said your name was mud and that it would be hard for you to have any relationship with the your former teammates. How do you feel about that?
There was a lot of emotion floating around at that time. It wasn't a perfect situation or a perfect exit from a football
club. It's not the way you would like to leave.
In saying there was a set of circumstances and things evolved in a certain way. It wasn't ideal, I understand
that. But, in moving forward, I don't see why things should change. Friends are friends, teammates are teammates and I think everyone respects and understands why people do certain things, looking after their future and making themselves as happy as they can.
You said when you departed Adelaide that you wanted to maintain contact with your teammates. Have you?
Yes. I played there for six years and have a lot of good friends in Adelaide whether they be teammates or people outside the football club.
How did you feel being cast as the villain?
I didn't enjoy it at all. In challenging times, you learn a lot about yourself.
You're joining the premier, does that make it an even bigger challenge?
I know I'm coming into a very good side and a very well respected side. That's exciting for me because I know I'll get the best out of myself as a footballer. I hope to make this team even better if I can.
Kurt Tippett wrestles with Swans big man Mike Pyke. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph
You are going to sit out the first half of the season, how are you going to handle that?
I've had brief discussions about it. I guess the first thing is to prepare like I'm going to play in Round 1.
The intra-club matches will be your only game practice before you play. Does that give them extra importance?
I'm going to concentrate on every session from now until the guys ease back from training into their preparation to play because it's also important for me to learn the way my teammates play and the game plan and the structures.
Each session, I'm really going to treasure because having the whole squad out there training at 100 per cent is not going to happen for very long.
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