Tippett confident he’ll be good to go in do-or-die Swans final

KURT Tippett knows what it will take to get his troublesome ankle right for next Thursday’s elimination final against Essendon.

Kurt Tippett at training this week. Picture: AAP

KURT Tippett knows what it will take to get his troublesome ankle right for next Saturday’s elimination final against Essendon.

Tippett rolled his left ankle in a ruck contest in the first quarter against Carlton last Saturday and made a brief return to the field after receiving treatment before finishing the match on the bench.

“I’m pretty confident in the fact that my ankle will be good enough to play,” Tippett said.

“It’s something that’s unfortunately been around all year and I’ve hurt it a couple of times,

so I certainly know what I need to do to get it right.

Kurt Tippett is helped off the field after injuring his knee last weekend against Carlton. Picture: AAP

“It hurts a bit. It’s a bit of a shock at the time but it’s something that’s happened a few times over the course of playing a lot of sport.”

Tippett has played just nine AFL matches this season.

He has spent several weeks in the NEAFL battling injuries or trying to recapture peak form after being dropped to the reserves for the first time in his five years at the Swans following the round-10 loss to Hawthorn at the SCG.

He has played well in his four matches back in the seniors, ramping up his tackling.

“I’m certainly aware of the things I need to do now to get it right to play finals,” Tippett said.

“I’m certainly hoping my best football for this season is ahead of me.

Sydney's Kurt Tippett and Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer during the final round. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“The last four weeks has been good and I feel like I’ve been building and feeling better each game.

“The bye week certainly helps out. It’s come at a good time for players like myself who can get that little bit of extra time to get themselves right.”

The Swans struggled after the bye leading into last year’s finals when they lost to GWS by 36 points.

The easy 81-point win over Carlton last weekend is not likely to help their cause.

Last year they went into their first final after a 113-point rout over Richmond.

But there are rarely perfect build-ups to any finals series and after starting the season 0-6, John Longmire’s men have had to rewrite history just to qualify for a post-season game.

Kurt Tippett was all smiles at training this week. Picture: AAP

“It’s a big turnaround,” Tippett said.

“It’s something that took a lot of effort and energy and it’s really been worth it.

“We’ve given ourselves the best chance we possibly could have (after the 0-6 start).”

Tippett was less impressed with his skipper Josh Kennedy missing out on All Australian selection.

“It’s a great side and he’s had a great year, he’s a great player,’’ he said.

“You love to see as many of your teammates in there as possible.

“So it’s a bit disappointing he didn’t get in there.”

Originally published as Tippett confident he’ll be good to go in do-or-die Swans final