Tippett test in ruck

Swans spearhead faces a tall order in the centre against the Hawks

KURT Tippett came to the Swans as a key forward but he might give his best service to the red and whites in the ruck.

Suspension, injury and the arrival of Lance Franklin have restricted his contribution as a key forward until now but with Mike Pyke sidelined with continuing knee soreness, it’s the Gold Coast star’s moment to shine.

Tonight he will get the most severe road test of his rucking skills against the rampaging premiership favourites Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium.

It will be a case of back to the future tonight as Tippett returns to the position he started at as a teenager.

“I learnt the game as a ruckman,” Tippett said. “In my first season in footy at Southport I started playing in the ruck and that was how I learnt the game. I was drafted as a forward to Adelaide where I did a little bit of back-up work in the ruck which is a similar role to what I’ve done in Sydney.

“I enjoy ruck work, I enjoy the challenge of it and it’s a big responsibility to be in the centre and working with the midfielders to give your team momentum.”

Against the Lions, Tippett played half the game in the ruck and took on one of the AFL’s best in Matthew Leuenberger.

He won 48.4 per cent of contests and recorded an advantage rate of 41.9 per cent, compared with Leuenberger’s winning rate of 45.2 per cent (only 16.7 per cent to advantage).

Tonight he will take on premiership ruckman Ben McEvoy on home soil but he and the Swans will be up against a team in much better form than in their Round 8 meeting, when they won by four points at the MCG.

For John Longmire’s men the rematch was a question of regaining some pride after their humiliating 63 point grand final loss.

“We wanted to come back after the grand final and step up,” Tippett said.