Kurt Tippett expected to remain at Sydney despite rumours of an off-season trade

HE might be struggling to get a senior game but the prospect of Kurt Tippett departing the Swans at the end of the season looks highly unlikely.

Kurt Tippett in action for Sydney’s reserves in the NEAFL. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

HE might be struggling to get a senior game but the prospect of Kurt Tippett departing the Swans looks highly unlikely with the big man contracted to Sydney until the end of 2020.

Alarming as that may seem to Swans supporters, Tippett’s contract has been re-negotiated twice and his status as a Bondi billionaire is under threat.

The Daily Telegraph understands Tippett wants to play out his career in red and white and was happy to take a pay cut to secure added time on his contract.

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This was negotiated 12 months ago when the big man was in career best form.

The former Adelaide Crow initially signed for the Swans on a four-year deal at an estimated $1 million per season. The deal has been extended twice at a significantly reduced amount.

Swans football manager Tom Harley confirmed the duration of Tippett’s contract but would not discuss the financial details of the deal.

Kurt Tippett in action for Sydney’s reserves against GWS in the NEAFL.

Tippett has been touted as trade bait but his agreement, which still has another three years to run beyond 2017, would almost certainly be a deterrent to any rival club interested in trading for the big man, even if the Swans were prepared to pay some of it.

Also working against a potential trade is the fact Tippett is now 30 and has a long history of injuries.

As the Swans moved into top eight contention with a thrilling come-from-behind win over Richmond at the MCG Tippett, was in action in the NEAFL in Brisbane.

The Swans reserves belted Aspley by 102 points, with Tippett picking up 20 disposals and making five tackles. The performance will put him in the conversation for Friday night’s clash with Essendon at the SCG.

“He hasn’t played to the level he would have liked this year,” Harley said.

“He’s really clear on what he needs to work on. We were certainly a better team when Kurt is at his best. He is just working through a form slump. Kurt has played some very good footy for us he just needs some continuity with fitness so he’s gone back to the reserves to get some form and confidence.”

Tippett is no certainty to return to senior football this week with Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair both performing well in the ruck.

“Naismith and Sinclair have also been in good form,” Harley said.

“It’s a period he has to work through. His attitude is what you would expect from someone like Kurt. He does have resilience and he’s doing what he can to get back into.”

In the same NEAFL match dashing defender Aliir Aliir suffered a knee injury and will have scans to determine the level of the damage today. It appears to be a low grade medial tear to the opposite knee he injured in last year’s preliminary final against Geelong.