Moment Tippett knew he belonged

Star recruit Kurt Tippett and other Swans walk off the ground after the shock loss to Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

IT was a private moment in the sheds - and not that mark and goal in the opening minute of Saturday's loss to Port Adelaide - when Kurt Tippett finally felt like he belonged at the Sydney Swans.

The star forward has been at the club for more than six months but took the field for the first time on Saturday after an 11-week ban incurred at the Adelaide Crows.

And while his new teammates embraced him after that opening goal, it was a surprise jersey presentation that will stick in Tippett's mind from his debut game.

SuperCoach scores, stats and more

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh caught Tippett by surprise before the first bounce, presenting him with his first red and white jumper.

"Macca (McVeigh) caught me by surprise when he produced my jumper," Tippett told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

Kurt Tippett marks in the first 15 seconds on the game against Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

"I was concentrating on what I was going to do in the match and I had no idea he was going to bring it out.

"To have Jarrad present my first Swans guernsey was a real honour.

"Kicking that first goal also settled the nerves."

McVeigh wants Tippett to build on his good start with an even better performance against the Blues.

"Hopefully he can take another step forward for us this week," McVeigh said.

"He started really well for us and really competed for us.

Kurt Tippett of the Swans takes a mark within the first minute of the game against Port Adelaide Power at AAMI Stadium. Picture: Morne de Klerk Source: Getty Images

"It's his first game back so he was always going to run out of legs but the way he competed and the way he started was really positive for us."

The 26-year-old was one of Sydney's best with two goals, which could easily have been four, and now has his sights on Carlton on Friday night at the SCG.

"It was disappointing to lose against Port but the boys are determined to regroup and turn things around against the Blues," Tippett said.

"It's a short break (six days) so we have to refocus quickly."

Swans teammates flocked to Tippett after his opening goal and he is clearly a popular figure at the club.

"The boys have been very supportive and I want to pay them back," Tippett said.

"I've worked as hard as I could to get myself ready to play and now I'll look to get better every week starting with Friday night."

Tippett was expected to be substituted in the second half but a knee injury to Adam Goodes meant he played the whole match.

"I felt pretty strong throughout the match," Tippett said.

"It takes a while to get those football instincts working, I was running to the wrong spots at times but I'll be a lot better for the run on Friday night against Carlton.

"I've pulled up pretty well."

Goodes aggravated the same knee he hurt in last year's grand final.

Damage to his ACL has been ruled out but it remains to be seen just how quickly the 33-year-old recovers from the knock.

Goodes played immediately after rupturing his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2004 but the Swans would be keen to have the dual Brownlow medallist at his best in September and are likely to give him the time to recover properly.

With or without Goodes, McVeigh is looking for his team to make a statement in four days time.

"Fortunately for us we play on Friday night against Carlton so it's a short week so we can get back out there and put in a good performance," McVeigh said.

"Our ball use was our main problem and we can fix that.

"The way we played on the weekend we're really going to have to step up and we're looking forward to doing that hopefully."

Centre half-forward Sam Reid (quad) and speedster Lewis Jetta (shin) are in contention for a recall, but will need to prove their fitness at Wednesday's training session.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Moment Tippett knew he belonged

Dengan url

http://sudahterlupakan.blogspot.com/2013/06/moment-tippett-knew-he-belonged.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Moment Tippett knew he belonged

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Moment Tippett knew he belonged

sebagai sumbernya