Having shared a house with Kurt Tippett for the majority of the former Adelaide star’s stay in Sydney, Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery knows his frustrations well.
Tippett must serve three more games of his 11-match AFL ban for salary cap breaches before he can make his Swans debut.
It’s been a long wait for the 26-year-old, whose most recent competitive hit-out came at the Swans’ intra-club clash on February 15.
“When you’re not playing footy for that period of time, there’s no doubt you want to get out there and play,” Hannebery said of Tippett, who was plunged into controversy shortly after kicking four goals in the Crows’ preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.
“He’s frustrated – he wants to get out there and show what he’s capable of.
“He’s been training really well and he’s getting himself in super condition to be able to attack the second half of the year.
“…He’s really up and about. He’s definitely jumping off the walls ready to play.”
The outside expectation is Tippett will be rushed into Sydney’s side after a round-12 bye, when they take on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
Hannebery, echoing pre-season comments by co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and coach John Longmire, said Tippett still had work to do at the club.
“With Kurt, he still has to prove that he’s a valued team member by what he does at training and when he plays,” Hannebery said.
“He has got to make sure he plays his role and that’s all we’re going to be asking of him – to compete and work hard.
“If he does that, he’ll play footy and he’ll play most weeks but, until he does that, he probably won’t slot straight back in.
“…I’m sure the coach and the fitness staff will work out whether they play him through the twos or go straight into the ones. It’s a long way away – we’ll wait and see what happens.”
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