Wait over: Sydney Swan Kurt Tippett's last game he played was for the Crows in the 2012 preliminary final against Hawthorn. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited
SWANS All Australian defender Ted Richards expects star recruit Kurt Tippett to hit the ground running against Port Adelaide tomorrow in spite of his complete lack of match practice.
Tippett's 11-match suspension for his role in the Crows' salary cap and draft saga has meant he hasn't played a match in anger for nine months.
The last game he played was for the Crows in the 2012 preliminary final against Hawthorn.
"Nothing can replace a game but it's not as if he's coming back from a long-term injury," Richards said.
"Even though he hasn't been in the team on the weekend he's been a part of training sessions and match simulations throughout the week.
"He's been at every training session since early December and more often than not when it comes to match simulation I'm playing on him so I've probably seen he's been going closer than most."
While he's not playing against former team the Crows, most people - including Tippett - are expecting a less than friendly welcome to Adelaide. Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has even called Adelaide fans to come along and boo Tippett and cheer on the Power. While the latter part of the request is highly unlikely, Tippett is sure to come in for some stick in his former home town.
Richards believes the reception will be nothing out of the ordinary.
"A lot of people are talking about the hostility towards Kurt but it's not as if when I run out or the blokes run out the Crows or Port fans are clapping us," Richards said.
"It's not something that's going to be massively different, we'll run out on the weekend and we know what they think of us, and that's just the way footy's
been."
Tippett is the first high-profile player to come to the Swans since Barry Hall made the move from St Kilda more than a decade ago.
Richards is typical of the type of player Sydney has traditionally gone for, players like Rhyce Shaw, Ben McGlynn, Josh Kennedy and Mitch Morton who have struggled to establish themselves at their former clubs.
But the big Queenslander has fitted right in at the SCG.
"His attitude towards coming to this club has been fantastic, he's really embraced the club and everyone," Richards said. "We're really excited that he finally gets the opportunity to play. He's been a great injection to the club and I hope he goes well this week. We can see how excited he is about playing this weekend. He's like a little kid."
The only knock Richards has on the new recruit is his ability to co-ordinate team meals.
"For a while there Kurt was in charge of organising team dinners but he failed miserably at that and Rhyce Shaw had to take over," Richards said.
"He didn't give players enough notice so no one turned up."
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