Tippett calls time
Ankle injury forces hand of controversial Sydney big man
SYDNEY Swans big man Kurt Tippett has announced his shock retirement, ending one of the most controversial playing careers of the past decade.
Tippett, 30, told teammates yesterday he was struggling with a lingering ankle problem and could no longer deliver at the top level.
Rival clubs believed Tippett was available in last year’s trade period, but there were no takers after another injury-ravaged season.
The ruck-forward, who signed a bumper deal to land at Sydney in 2012, has managed only 74 games in five seasons, including nine last year.
Tippett, who had post-season ankle surgery, said he had lost confidence in his body after 178 games and 325 goals.
“It’s really tough to leave a game and a club which I really love,” he said.
“But the reality is my body isn’t going to stand up to the rigours of professional football.
“As I’ve found out in the past 18 months or so, it’s impossible to play at the level you want without being fully fit.”
His departure means Sydney will play one man short on its list, but it still has three big men in Sam Naismith, Callum Sinclair and Darcy
Cameron. The 202cm Tippett was once considered one of the most dangerous key forwards in the league, slotting 101 goals in his second and
third seasons at Adelaide in 2009-10.
But he was involved in one of the game’s biggest scandals in 2012 when the AFL found Adelaide and he had broken draft and salary cap rules.
Tippett enjoyed his best year at Sydney in 2015, when he played 22 games, kicked 44 goals and finished eighth in the best and fairest.
He was also Sydney’s leading goalkicker in 2013 with 35 goals from only 12 games.
Swans coach John Longmire said it was a brave decision from Tippett to retire.
“Kurt has played some key roles for us, but has been very unlucky with injury, which is a real shame, because when he’s out on the field he’s been a great competitor,” he said.
“It takes courage to admit when your body isn’t up to playing at the level you want.”