60 out of a possible 94. That’s how many games Kurt Tippett has played for the Sydney Swans.
After signing a four-year deal worth $3.55 million in 2012, a deal which made him one of the highest-paid players in the competition, it is fair to assume that the Swans were hoping to get a player who could suit up for more than 64 per cent of their games in the past four seasons.
In these 60 games, Tippett has kicked 128 goals at an average of 2.13 per game.
In the same time period Jeff Garlett, a player who in 2014 was traded for the king’s ransom of picks 61 and 79 from Carlton to Melbourne, has played 69 games and kicked 122 goals at a fraction of the cost.
After paying an annual salary close to $900,000, Sydney definitely didn’t want Kurt Tippett to be compared to Jeff Garlett.
While the true value of a key forward can no longer be determined by his goal tally, the underlying point still remains.
Arriving at the club 74 days after they had won the 2012 premiership, Kurt Tippett has yet to show the Swans and their fans that he was worth the hype.
Tippett, a mercurial but wayward kicking forward at the Crows, was expected to make the leap into a goal kicking, contested marking behemoth. Instead he has plateaued into an above-average ruckman who can provide a solid goal scoring option in the forward line, when healthy.
Most importantly alongside fellow ‘Bondi Billionaire’ Lance Franklin, Tippett was going to form the foundation of a team which was to usurp the throne upon which the Hawks sit. Sydney were supposed to be the next great dynasty to rule the AFL. Instead they were a red and white smear after being steamrolled by the Hawks in the 2014 grand final.
Possibly the most frustrating aspect of the Tippett era have been the glimpses of brilliance that he teases the Swans and the rest of the competition with. In his inaugural season with Sydney from Round 19-21, he kicked 17 goals. In his first three games pairing with Franklin in 2014, the two forwards combined for 23 goals, vaulting the Swans into premiership favouritism.
But these tantalising flashes of dominance have been constantly interrupted due to nagging injuries.
After being plagued by patellar tendonitis for the bulk of his first two seasons in Sydney, Tippett was finally able to bring some continuity to his game, playing the majority of the 2015 season and the first 12 games of 2016.
His form during this period looked promising as Tippett established himself as the club’s first choice ruckman. However as has been his pattern at the Swans, during the second quarter of the ‘Sydney Derby’ in Round 12, Tippett suffered a significant hamstring injury.
Herein lies the issue with Tippett and the worry for the Swans. After extending his contract through to 2018, the Swans have tied themselves to a 29-year-old injury plagued big man, who relies on his physicality to win contests.
With rumours of midfielder Tom Mitchell considering a move to Hawthorn and young talent Isaac Heeney set to be out of contract at the end of next season, Sydney will need cap space in the coming years. Thus they will be praying Tippett’s body will hold together and his contract won’t become a sunk cost – like another 29-year-old forward whose game is heavily reliant on his body, Travis Cloke.
However this almost four yearlong narrative is set up for a fairy tale finish within the next six weeks.
As the Swans once again find themselves among the premiership favourites, Tippett returns to the line-up for the first time in two months.
A performance worthy of the near $900,000 price tag will go a long way in seeing the ‘bloods’ lift their fifth premiership and their first since Tippett’s arrival.
But if Tippett falters, his legacy will be one of the flawed crow who could never transform into a beautiful swan.
swift foetus
Guest
he already is in my opinion. KB's points about injury aside (arguably that has nothing to do with a contract) this supports my POV http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-23/the-stats-files-whos-the-top-target
Gecko
Guest
Swans fans seem very pleased with Tippett. Let's not debate whether Tippett is half as reliable or effective in the ruck as the man he displaced - big Mumford.
R'n'R
Guest
Sorry BrisSwan, On this occasion I agree with Birdman. The Swans won two flags using a modified Moneyball technique, Tippett and Franklin are a departure from that, as such they must land a flag to justify reverting to an earlier and far less successful Buy-a-Star strategy. As for your premiership count - claiming 5 flags for the red and white, is just a silly as the 1874 establishment date that is often displayed on merchandise.
R'n'R
Guest
I prefer to think of it as having a broader and better perspective on the subject.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Rubbish on both counts birdie.
Birdman
Guest
Until he and Franklin win a flag with the Swans, their recruitment will be a bust except from a membership marketing perspective which was always more about expectation. Only a flag will legitimise the use, and subsequent loss of, COLA to land them.
stevo
Guest
"It’s just a facetious slogan that I used. I didn’t create it." No you didn't, but you're happy to promote it like all the other Swans hating liars in the media......as far as living up to his contract.....he will.
stevo
Guest
You're a bit weird then.........
BRISWAN
Guest
Hi , I respect your right to your opinion but to the majority of Swans supporters, we are most satisfied with Tipps output. Lets measure his % of games played once he retires…..not mid stream ! Additionally, I wish your reporting was accurate as I would have relished the Swans winning 11 Flags ???? I waited 55years to see my 1st….the clubs 4th and now we have 5……TO DATE.
swift foetus
Guest
fair play then mate! i'll admit that i disagree with you but respect your opinion nonetheless
Stewie
Guest
This article has copped a bit of flak, and to be frank, I'm not surprised. I'd add my own, but I'd be repeating what everyone else has said.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Cheers Swift! To answer your questions, 'Bondi Billionaires' was a phrase applied to Tippett and Franklin in 2014 after they both signed huge contracts. It's just a facetious slogan that I used. I didn't create it. When I say Tippett relies on his physicality, I mean his other skills like his kicking aren't to the same standard as other big men like Goldstein or Franklin. Of course you are right in saying nearly all rucks and forwards rely on physicality to be successful but some players are more able to cope with a decline in their physicals skills because they are more sound in their fundamentals. Coming from a basketball background and being a late convert to AFL, Tippett's skills aren't as polished as some of his colleagues hence he could have trouble maintaining his impact on a game as he loses it to injury and age. As far as I know Tippett hasn't slept with a person close to me, I just feel he hasn't lived up to the contract he signed when he joined Sydney.
swift foetus
Guest
thanks for the contribution KB (i just sit here and make snide comments). few questions rhetorical or othewise below: 'Bondi Billionaire’ - seriously where did you get this absurd phrase and what are you impliying by including it? "who relies on his physicality to win contests" what kind of self respecting ruck/forward doesn't? Are you implying that Tiprat is not very smart? why are you so salty on tippo, did he fornicate with someone close to you?
R'n'R
Guest
Speak for yourself Sydneygirk. Not every Swans supporter was delighted by the Tippett acquisition.
swift foetus
Guest
hahaha top notch stuff weasel 10/10
TomC
Roar Guru
A pun looking for a subject. He's spent as much time in the ruck as in the forwardline.
Michael Huston
Guest
So it's our fault he's been rattled with injuries and never been able to find consistent form? Or is it his fault? To the outside, he may seem underwhelming but anyone whose paid decent attention to the Swans list and our game plan knows he fills two vital holes: a taller option up forward to create a contest for our smalls and give Buddy more space; and a very good ruck who will give our mids a fighting chance. Job done as far as I'm concerned, just unfortunate he's injury-prone.
Sydneygirl
Guest
A very biased view. Those of us who support Sydney know what Tippo is worth and are happy with what he brings. Your article sounds suspiciously like sour grapes. Still.
Gib
Guest
Your expectations of what Tippet would achieve after leaving the Crows are certainly greater than mine. 'Perennial All Australian? I can't see anything on his performances in Adelaide to suggest that. Was he ever nominated there? A 'goal kicking, contested marking behemoth' from a guy who only topped Adelaide's goal kicking once (2010). Most of the hype was created around his salary and Adelaide's underhanded contractual shenanigan's. I think the Swans would be fairly happy with the trade. They paid overs for a good big forward/ruck because they felt they needed one and they are very, very hard to find. He's now developed into a very good ruck/forward. A Tippett/Naismith ruck partnership over the next few years looks very promising. Will they be able to keep every wanted player on their list? Probably not, but that's not what the salary cap and trading are designed to do.
Weasel
Guest
Speaking of half seasons, don't forget it was partly your own team's (Adelaide) fault that Tippett has missed 11 of those games, with "back room" clauses in his Adelaide contract coming to light and causing him to be banned from his first half-season in Sydney. (Wouldn't want the truth getting in the way of a good roasting!)