Contract talks may not have officially begun with Kurt Tippett but the Brisbane Lions still pitched a compelling case to the star Adelaide forward on Saturday night when they upset the Crows by 10 points at the Gabba.
Tippett’s future was the hot topic ahead of the AFL clash after the Crows match-winner’s negotiations with Adelaide stalled.
Brisbane must look like a tempting option for the Gold Coast-bred Tippett after the Lions roared in front of a crowd of 18,979 to spark a boilover.
They bounced back from a 38-point deficit at the first break to run out 13.17 (95) to 12.13 (85) victors.
Adelaide’s minor premiership hopes copped a hit despite suffering only their second loss in eight games.
The Lions hit the lead for the first time with just four minutes left in the third term when ruckman Ben Hudson made the most of a dubious 50m penalty slapped on Taylor Walker and kicked truly.
The stage was set for a thriller when Adelaide’s Ian Callinan (four goals) cut the lead to just four points with 90 seconds left after a shocking Tom Rockliff turnover.
But Lions vice-captain Rockliff quickly redeemed himself, kicking his only goal at the death to ice Brisbane’s second win in seven games.
Tippett looked like a player in his first game since July 21 due to three head knocks in five weeks, finishing with just seven touches and one behind in a rusty display.
He met with Crows officials and management in Brisbane on Friday night but it remains to be seen where the key forward plays next year.
Brisbane did their best to interest Tippett with a fine display after battling back from a first-term shocker.
A sixth defeat in seven games appeared on the cards for the lowly Lions after the Crows flew to a 6.5 (41) to 0.3 (3) lead by the first break, leading the inside 50s 20-9.
Long suffering fans had to wait until the sixth minute of the second term before celebrating Brisbane’s first goal.
But they strung together a five-goal second term with Rohan Bewick bagging a double as Adelaide held onto a 7.8 (50) to 5.9 (39) halftime lead.
Brisbane continued to surge and ensured a tense finish when they led 10.15 (75) to 10.9 (69) at the final break.
