Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson is blunt: he’d rather Kurt Tippett not get a kick.

But Tippett is kicking goals. Lots of them, for Sydney.

And it’s making Adelaide’s bitter split with the towering Tippett all the more painful for the Crows.

“I won’t say that I’m happy to see him play so well,” Sanderson told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’d rather that he wouldn’t be getting a kick.

“It’s a shame that he’s not playing for us – but he’s not. That ship has sailed.”

It sailed straight to Sydney Harbour, and Tippett now holds the key to the Swans’ premiership defence.

Tippett is the form forward in the league: since returning from his 11-match ban for his law-breaking 2009 contract with the Crows, he has booted 32 goals.

That is more than any other player since round 12 and Tippett’s goal average of 3.6 is also the best in the competition.

“It’s hard. I did see that he’s leading the Coleman (medal) since he’s been back,” Sanderson said.

“He’s scoring goals. He would be really handy for us now.”

Sanderson hasn’t been surprised at Tippett’s impressive form.

“He’s a class player. He has got all the talent in the world,” he said.

And the Crows mentor also delivered an ominous warning: “He is only going to get better and better too.”

Sydney hope the 26-year-old’s improvement continues next month in the finals, when the presence of a big key forward is considered vital to winning the flag.

Premiership favourites Hawthorn have the dynamic duo, Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin, who have booted 60 and 51 goals this season respectively.

Geelong have Tom Hawkins, who has kicked 45 majors this year despite his dodgy back upon which the Cats’ finals hopes hinge. Of the major scorers, Hawkins is also the most accurate with just 14 points for an accuracy percentage of 71.4.

Fremantle have their peerless skipper Matthew Pavlich, priming to hit top form after injury which has cost him 13 games this season.

Collingwood have man mountain Travis Cloke, who has more shots at goal – 104 – than any player this season. But he has slotted just 58 of them and it’s no stretch to say the Magpies’ chances depend on his goal-kicking radar.

And Richmond have their spearhead Jack Riewoldt, who has potted 56 goals this year.