Kurt Tippett’s departure triggered off-field drama that continues to linger at Adelaide Crows

THE Adelaide Crows are still feeling the effects from the Kurt Tippett fallout - and just to rub it in, he’s playing in a Grand Final.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Kurt Tippett of Sydney waves to the crowd during the 2014 AFL Grand Final Parade on September 26, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

IT WAS just over two years ago when Adelaide appeared to be putting the cornerstones in place for a successful era: The Sanderson years.

It has unravelled quickly for the Crows, who have watched with envy as Port Adelaide has stormed into two finals campaigns while it has missed September for two years in succession.

And at the heart of it, the only winner remains Kurt Tippett, who has emerged from his long suspension to be an important forward for Sydney and will be at the MCG on Saturday.

Tippett had initially sought to soothe Crows fans in July, 2012, when he insisted he comfortable at West Lakes.

``I’m very happy here and very much enjoying the year and where we are at, at the moment,’’ Tippett said at the time.

But there were grumblings in the background and clandestine dealings that did not meet AFL requirements.

The fallout was spectacular. The Crows lost draft selections, lost Tippett without any compensation, had chief executive Steven Trigg and football manager Phil Harper suspended.

The Crows are yet to fully recover from the turbulent time.

After copping a suspension Stephen Trigg has moved to Carlton.

Brenton Sanderson, who delivered a spike in his first season, is now gone. Trigg recovered and found a higher-profile job as chief executive of Carlton.

But there is a sense that the club, much through the efforts of new board member Mark Ricciuto, is trying to find a steady course again.

Several challenges lie ahead. Patrick Dangerfield, Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane — three of the club’s best players — come out of contract at the end of next season, and there has already been speculated other clubs will try to tempt the Crows to trade for them.

There are no guarantees for the assistant coaches, who could be dispatched by the incoming coach.

Crows supporters throw their hands up in the air every time the Tippett memory is brought up, and it is safe to say that Tippett would like to move on.

But the bottom line is this: the Crows are yet to recover from the fallout at the end of Sanderson’s first season while Tippett has the chance to climb football’s biggest mountain on Saturday.

This is a critical juncture for the Crows, because much of the good work that was achieved in 2012 has since been frittered away.

BACK THEN (at the end of 2012)

*Crows lost to Hawthorn in a close preliminary final

*There was hope for the future: assistant coach Scott Camporeale said this: “I think the best is still to come, purely from the fact that it’s an inexperienced group in terms of games (played).’’

*The Tippett saga was yet to unfold

*Taylor Walker led the goal kicking with 63 goals

SINCE THEN

*Kurt Tippett has moved to the Swans

*Steven Trigg has moved to Carlton

*Senior assistant coach Dean Bailey died from cancer

*Coach Brenton Sanderson has been sacked

*Taylor Walker missed most of 2013 to knee reconstruction

*Captain Nathan van Berlo missed the 2014 season to Achilles injury

*The club was hit by draft penalties and suspensions to senior staff

Originally published as Kurt Tippett’s departure triggered off-field drama that continues to linger at Adelaide Crows