Critics stone Crows as Tippett finds a way out
ADELAIDE today will sign a trade it did not want to consider a week ago after blinki n g on r e l e a s i n g forward Kurt Tippett.
The Crows face a major task to explain to f ans why they accepted Swans ruckforward Jesse White and the Swans’ firstround draft pick (No. 22) for Tippett.
Inaugural Crows coach Graham Cornes labelled Adelaide ‘‘pathetic’’ for letting Crows football operTippett lead the club ations chief Phil ‘‘by the nose’’. Harper was adamant
Former Western White’s arrival would Bulldogs and Richn o t s q u e e z e o u t mond coach Terry Victorian draftee Wallace declared the Shaun McKernan as balance of the trade a they possibly compete ‘‘ joke’’ that heavily for the same role. favours the Swans. Adelaide list man
‘‘Adelaide has been ager David Noble last ripped off,’’ he said. week refused to con-
The Crows can argue today they have: DISPROVED Tippett had a deal to walk from Adelaide for just a secondround draft pick. Sydney’s first-round pick will move from No. 22 to later in the draft tonight after the AFL issues compensation picks to clubs that have lost free agents. BOUGHT insurance with White who can become back-up to Sam Jacobs as a sider White. At that ruckman- forward stage the Crows were and direct replacehopeful of trading for ment for Tippett. GWS ruckman JonAND t h e y were athan Giles and forcjammed by Tippett, ing Sydney to offer a who would have defender or midfielder. walked to the Swans
But Giles’s decision in the draft without to sign a new deal with compensation to the the Giants this week Crows if he had not changed the trade been moved by the game for Adelaide. trade deadline.