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Suns coach coy on Tippett's AFL future

16th August, 2012
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Strict new AFL poaching rules ensured Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna was coy on whether the Suns would pursue Adelaide star forward Kurt Tippett.

But it seems Tippett’s well-documented concussion problems won’t put McKenna off considering a play for the Gold Coast-born match-winner.

Three heavy head knocks in five weeks have stalled Tippett’s contract negotiations with the Crows.

Speculation is rife Tippett wants to return to Queensland next year – and Brisbane this week made it clear they would welcome the power forward with open arms if signed.

Tippett will meet Crows officials and management in Brisbane on Friday night ahead of this weekend’s Adelaide-Lions Gabba clash.

But the Gold Coast are expected to be the frontrunner because Tippett’s family lives on the tourist strip and he owns real estate there.

However, McKenna tried to tiptoe around the elephant in the room on Thursday, barely 48 hours after the AFL warned clubs faced $100,000 fines if they breached new poaching rules.

“We’ve had (brother) Joel Tippett here before. He’s played in our seconds and I think he’s playing really well for Norwood at this stage,” McKenna laughed.

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“We talk about any other player in the AFL right now, we get into a dangerous situation.

“We’ll sit down with (Suns’ recruitment boss) Scott (Clayton) and go through our list and talk about our needs and the players we potentially are going to target.”

Asked if Tippett’s concussion history would deter the Suns from pursuing the key forward, McKenna joked: “I’m certainly not on the trade table, I’m not making a comeback – so that’s all I can comment on.”

But it appeared McKenna did not think a series of head knocks would be an issue for a player.

“I was done (concussed) six times in my career,” said McKenna of his stellar playing career at West Coast.

“For me personally, I don’t think it’s affected me greatly.

“You’re loathe to comment on anyone else until you’ve got the research to back that information up.

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“It’s a case-by-case scenario.”

McKenna did admit the Suns’ forward line needed to be beefed up despite downing newcomers Greater Western Sydney last round by 30 points.

“It’s an area of the ground where we’ve got a lack of experience,” he said.

But the Suns’ coach has more pressing concerns with an injury list blowing out to 18 and young gun Trent McKenzie reportedly dropped for Sunday’s daunting clash with Hawthorn at the MCG for missing a compulsory recovery session last weekend.

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