Joel Tippett's stint at West Adelaide pays off as he head for North Melbourne

JOEL Tippett's move to SA - and decision to stay another season at West Adelaide - has paid off in the rookie draft.

JOEL Tippett's move to SA - and decision to stay another season at West Adelaide - has paid off.

The 25-year-old key defender was on Wednesday offered a third shot at the AFL when he was taken by North Melbourne at pick No. 8 in the rookie draft.

It comes 12 months after speculation mounted Tippett would follow his older brother, former Crow turned Sydney Swan Kurt, in leaving SA.

But Andrew Collins, Tippett's coach at the Bloods, said that was never the case and he always intended to see out his two-year contract.

Collins described Tippett as the best defender outside of the AFL and said he was primed to make the most of his draft lifeline.

"He's ready to make an impact at an AFL level," said Collins, now coaching VFL club Williamstown.

"If you look at the opponents he's played on in regards to SANFL - there's AFL guys (Daniel) Stewart and (Lewis) Johnston and then Michael Wundke and Andrew Ainger - he tears them apart.

"Then you put in his Foxtel Cup role and state footy, and he hasn't been beaten.

"North Melbourne is getting a great, level-headed person and a mature and confident footballer."

Queenslander Tippett, who stands 197cm, had stints at Brisbane (2007-09, 0 games) and Gold Coast (2011, two games) before joining the Bloods ahead of the 2012 season.

After moving to Adelaide, he lived with Kurt, who had helped bring him to West because of his alignment there.

"We probably wouldn't have got Joel without the assistance of Kurt," Collins said.

By the end of his first SANFL season Tippett was considered a rookie draft prospect but he withdrew his nomination.

Collins said having another year with the Bloods benefited the former basketballer.

"He brought in a lot more rebound this year and really focused on his marking, which I thought was really significant.

"For him to continue to improve shows he has huge upside with his footy."

Tippett was one of two West Adelaide players chosen in the rookie draft.

The other was Geelong-bound midfielder Zac Bates, 18, who Collins likened to Essendon great Michael Long.

"He's a small indigenous player with electrifying skill and pace, very much like a young Michael Long," Collins said.

"The modern generation would say he's very similar to a Jarrod Harbrow.

"He's got beautiful silky skills, great movement, great balance and the explosive pace that will be really special at an AFL level."