How brave decision aided Kurt
It’s one 2006 Sharks premiership-winning coach Craig Crowley says has ultimately been justified.
“He knocked basketball back to stick with footy,” Crowley said.
“As an AFL player he was good. He was very good at ground level for a big man, extremely good.
“His recovery was very exceptional for a big bloke.”
Crowley lauded the pathway of the big man he helped nurture from raw rookie to a veteran of the AFL.
Crowley helped Tippett and another to-be AFL draftee, Brent Renouf, reach the 2006 QAFL grand final.
Tippett, 30, went on to enjoy long stints with Adelaide (104 games) and Sydney (74) despite persistent injuries.
He played in two AFL grand finals but lost both.
Crowley said he was surprised “in a way” to hear the news of his former ruckmanforward’s retirement but knew injuries played a major part.
“He had a lot of them so I don’t know how bad that has been towards it,” Crowley said.
“Kurt is a really good bloke and he has done well, more so for a bloke who did not have a football background.
“He has taken a lot out of the game, both financially and through the number of games he played.”
Tippett joined the Sharks in 2005 and featured in a losing grand final side that year.
Tippett’s younger brother Joel also played with Southport before entering the AFL via Brisbane and on to Gold Coast and North Melbourne.
Kurt and Joel are brothers of Australian Diamonds netball representative Gretel.
Tippett will remain in the Harbour City and complete the final year of a masters degree in commerce at Sydney University.