Kurt reply to Tippett decision in Queensland

QUEENSLAND clubs have taken a thinly veiled swipe at out-of-contract AFL star Kurt Tippett over his decision to head for the Sydney Swans.

Michael Voss

QUEENSLAND clubs have taken a thinly veiled swipe at out-of-contract AFL star Kurt Tippett, who yesterday picked reigning premiers Sydney as his preferred new club over the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast.

Both the Lions and Suns believed they were in the frame for the 25-year-old Crow's signature with Tippett understood to be keen to head home to be closer to his Gold Coast-based family.

However the key forward bypassed a Sunshine State return for the Swans, who offered him a $4 million deal over four years.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss said the Lions were "disappointed because we thought we had a Queenslander that wanted to come home".

"He had highlighted that he wanted to come home and we put a very good offer in front of him," he said.

"We were confident that we were in with a good shot."

Brisbane have been bitten twice in two years by "go home" claims only to see players instead sign with the highest bidder.

Former Lion Mitch Clark told Brisbane last year that he was homesick and wanted to return to Western Australia but chose a more lucrative offer at Melbourne.

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the Suns would now focus on their existing talent.

"Our interest in Kurt has always been based on the fact he is a homegrown product and had indicated at times an interest in returning to the Gold Coast," he said.

The Swans approached Tippett's manager Peter Blucher in late August after talks with the Crows were suspended. Blucher presented Sydney's offer to Tippett after Adelaide's preliminary final loss.

Sydney must now do a deal with a hostile Adelaide when the AFL's trade week begins tomorrow.

Just like the Lions and Suns, the Crows were of the understanding that Tippett wanted to return to Queensland, so they will play hardball. Within minutes of Tippett's decision being announced, Adelaide's official Twitter feed posted: "Kurt picks Sydney, now the games start".

Tippett issued a statement yesterday, claiming: "

This was a combined football/lifestyle decision ... I was born in Sydney, I have a lot of friends and family there. It is obvious the Swans have a very special culture."

A clandestine visit from Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland and coach John Longmire to the Gold Coast two days after the grand final is believed to have been the clincher.

"They came up to see Kurt and his family. It showed they were fair dinkum," Blucher said.

"Kurt loves Sydney, he was born there, his family are Sydney people. He gets the chance to play for a very, very good football team and enjoy the Sydney lifestyle."