Tippett!!

[DeadlyAkkuret]

My bad, then.

[Jewels]

The best statement he and the club can make if that be the case is when they do their permission to train lodgements...KT and the club requesting that he train with the swans...not go and do any medicals and as stated just say i want to play with sydney then....
i thought in the luke ball case he made statements whether privately through his managment or publically that he didn't want to go to the Dee's (tankers)

That was my memory of it also as I recall wondering at the time why the AFL allowed him to state so publicly that he would not play anywhere else but Collingwood. In fact, I thought he actually stated he would sit out the season rather than play anywhere else.

But then my memory certainly isn't what it used to be....

[The Big Cat]

The best statement he and the club can make if that be the case is when they do their permission to train lodgements...KT and the club requesting that he train with the swans...not go and do any medicals and as stated just say i want to play with sydney then....

Not sure if they'll let him. Usually these players are fringe players delisted from other clubs. They won't let him be delisted! Also, players train with a club only to be drafted by a different club who get in first. The biggest early indication of what's happening is when GWS tells the AFL they are going to take him with the first pick in the PSD and if precedent is anything the AFL will allow him to join them for training certain that he will be on their list. (It's happened many times with players in the PSD)

[Bennymno4]

Tippett does not need to say anything. Gws will meet with Kurt's management. They will tell gws that he does not want to play for them. End of story.

[Ludwig]

How about Tippett's management sending the following script to Tippett suiters (GWS in this example):

Reporter?s first question to Tippett after getting picked by GWS in the draft:

How do you feel about being playing for GWS next year?

KT: I had my heart set on playing for the Swans. We had a deal all signed, but the AFL came in and stopped it. So I?m really disappointed that it didn?t go through. I?m not very happy about it, but what can I do. Those are the rules and I suppose I just have to live with it. I?ll just have to make the best of a bad situation.

Nothing illegal or draft tampering about that. If you just committed to pay a guy $1 million, is this the sort of thing you would want to hear from your star signing? What would the other players think? Is it really worth it.

Next question: Will you be playing to the best of your ability with the Giants?

KT: Right now we're talking to the Players Association to see whether the AFL acted within the collective bargaining agreement and if they could force a player who had a signed contract into the draft against his will. I'm still hopeful that this can be overturned and I end up with the Swans next year. We'll just have to see how it goes. If in the end I have to play for the Giants, then yeah, I'll do the best that I can.

That's why players usually end up where they want to go.

[annew]

I have just watched the Grand Final - again, with friends who were overseas and have decided I would love Tippett but you know what I don't rally care swans were incredible shout him.

[MightyBloods]

If I was Tippett's manager I'd advise KT to put his hand up for the Pre-Season draft with his original agreed contract terms as his demand (ie what KT and the Swans originally agreed). Tell him to say nothing else other than he would prefer to play for the Swans. I'd send him to Europe on a holiday until the draft was over making it difficult for other clubs to contact him (re medicals/interviews). If any other club decides to draft him they will need to fly blind paying a hefty salary on a player that is probably not committed. A big risk for another club. I see this as about the only course for him to get to us. The bonus is that we keep our first draft pick in the ND for a good young kid as well.

[annew]

Article in Herald Sun today saying his preference is still to go to Swans even although GWS is sniffing around. Swans say this is difficult because of their draft picks unless Sheedy is bluffing or is scared off by the price he puts on his head.

[MightyBloods]

Well now he just has to get out of the country to avoid medicals/face to face interviews with other clubs. The money shouldn't deter GWS , particularly after Folau's decision to quit. I still say our best chance is the pre-season draft as not all clubs participate and others just wont have the money. Those cashed up at the moment include GWS & Fremantle with GWS the best chance if they can convince him. Very hard to convince him if he is overseas and difficult to contact. A big investment layout for any other club willing to take the risk to draft him without 'eyeballing' him first to gauge his commitment. I'll be staggered if he doesnt nominate for the pre-season draft and not also travel overseas until the conclusion of that draft. The only matter that may stop him doing this is if the AFL stipulate that he be available for interviews relating to the Adelaide draft tampering and alleged payment to him outside the salary cap. Surely we'd expect the AFL to hand down its findings before the pre-season draft therefore freeing him up to travel overseas. Something tells me that the AFL will work hard behind the scenes to try and pave the way for Tippett to go to a club such as GWS, Suns or Brisbane. It will leave a sour taste in the AFL's mouth if Tippett ends up with the Swans. Will Tippett and/or his management buckle....or hold true to his preference, the Swans? Will a club take the risk probably knowing they're drafting a reluctant player? Will the AFL come out of left field with the penalty on Tippett that puts another fly in the ointment for any potential move to the Swans? An interesting month ahead!

[Triple B]

I think the whole thing depends on whether GWS is serious about wanting him or not.

If we think that GWS won't pick him up, the ND may be the best option with the big price on his head. Even if Brisbane or GC can find the room in the cap, I'd imagine they'd be very reluctant to use pick 8 or 13 respectively to pickup a player who has expressed the desire to play elsewhere at $1M and miss the chance on a top young kid. The backlash if it goes belly up would be enormous. Of course the price is less if he goes to the PSD, you don't lose the kid.

As I see it, with GWS having 5 picks inside 14 in the ND, if they want him they would undoubtedly be prepared to use pick 14 in the ND or Pick 1 in the PSD, so we're screwed either way....

[Doctor]

I can't see him nominating for the National draft. It'll be the PSD for sure I'd have thought. I agree with your assessment though Triple B.

[dimelb]

More on GWS:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150740/default.aspx

[Jewels]

If GWS do get him, imagine the crowds reaction the first time they play the Crows in Adelaide with both Tippett and Davis in the squad. They'll need to hire security to escape the lynch mob!

[robamiee]

problem is all we are seeing is GWS pushing hard for him etc etc...then 1 small report that says KT has again said he only wants to be a swan...we just need to hear publically about KT from him and his management saying more about him wanting to be a swan

[AnnieH]

111 pages.
Still don't want him.