Swans’ Tippett ready to fire in AFL finals
KURT Tippett’s path to September has been precarious and problematic but the Sydney star feels he is fit, building form and ready to fire in the AFL finals.
Tippett, who rolled his ankle in the final round of the regular season, is adamant he will be ready for the club’s home elimination final against Essendon. The veteran joined the Swans after the 2012 grand final and has endured a wretched run of injuries.
Throw in the 11-match suspension for Adelaide’s salary cap breach and the high-profile signing has managed 74 games in five seasons.
The 30-year-old played through the pain of a fractured jaw in last year’s grand-final loss but 2017 has arguably been more frustrating. Ankle, hip and groin issues plus patchy form have combined to restrict him to nine AFL matches.
It would be understandable if he thought the worst after landing awkwardly in a ruck contest against Carlton last Saturday.
“I’ve hurt it a couple of times so I certainly know what I need to do to get it right,” he said yesterday. “The bye week certainly helps out ... my ankle will be good enough to play.”
Tippett described his season from hell as challenging.
“There’s been a few ups and downs but you can’t complain,” he said.
“There’s certainly players who have it worse and there would be guys loving to be in this situation right now.”
Tippett is no longer an automatic selection at the Swans, with fellow big man Sam Naismith set to be passed fit for week one of the finals.
But his game-breaking best is capable of rattling any rival.
“I’m certainly hoping my best football for this season is ahead of me,” Tippett said.
“The last four weeks has been good.”