Board to have last word on Kurt Tippett

THE Brisbane Lions board will have the final say on any contract offer to Crow Kurt Tippett under tight new rules.

Tippett

THE Brisbane Lions board will have the final say on any contract offer to Crow Kurt Tippett under tight new rules designed to avoid a repeat of the bungled recruitment of Brendan Fevola.

 These rules are designed to avoid a repeat of the bungled recruitment of Brendan Fevola.

Although the risks associated with Tippett are vastly different to those attached to serial bad boy Fevola when the Lions signed him to a $2 million-plus deal in 2009, there are legitimate concerns over the Gold Coaster's multiple concussions.

And the Lions board knows it cannot afford to pay out another multimillion-dollar deal to a player who is unable to fulfil his playing obligations.

Tippett stands to earn about $2 million over three years if he joins the Lions.

The move by Michael Voss and his football department to offer and sign a contract with Fevola carrying no behavioural clauses, without notifying the board, sparked outrage from several senior directors.

The administration has undergone a huge restructure since then, and chairman Angus Johnson said systems were now in place to ensure there would never be a repeat.

Given the Lions seemingly have little to offer the Crows in terms of a trade, Brisbane's ability to land Tippett could hinge on the validity of a well-publicised contractual clause that allowed him to move to the club of his choice in exchange for a second-round draft pick.

Such a clause could be considered draft tampering, which would contravene AFL rules.

There has been recent speculation it may have been more of a gentleman's agreement between the Crows and Tippett.

Interestingly, Tippett is managed by Velocity Sports, the company that delivered Fevola to Brisbane.

``We've tightened up on the contracting of players. We now have a list management committee and a football sub-committee on our board,'' Johnson said.

``With a player like a Tippett, final approval would have to be made by the board.''

Johnson stressed he did not want those comments to be interpreted as a sign he had no confidence in Tippett's ability to continue his playing career but admitted there simply wasn't enough known about the long-term effects of concussion.

``He would be put through a rigorous process. We will speak to our doctors and if they think we need to go further we will seek out the very best advice,'' he said.

``It is such a complex area, the brain, and as an industry I think we have a responsibility to learn more about it.''

Adding to the intrigue is the role Tippett's management is playing. Manager Peter Blucher said yesterday he would not be giving a running commentary on negotiations which is pretty much what has been happening to date.

``Remember that when Kurt signed three years ago it was (out of season) in October,'' he said.

``Don't read anything into it if that happens again.''