For purely selfish reasons, Brisbane vice-captain Daniel Merrett would love to see Adelaide AFL star forward Kurt Tippett lured to the Lions next season.
“It means I wouldn’t have to play on him,” Merrett laughed.
But he was deadly serious when asked what it would mean to a rebuilding Brisbane if they pulled off the much-speculated coup – a move that might be confirmed as early as Friday.
“Anyone of that talent in your team would be great. They are very rare,” he said on Tuesday.
“Particularly in Tippett’s case – a forward who can play in the ruck are hard to come by.”
Tippett’s Queensland-based manager Peter Blucher will reportedly meet his star charge and Crows officials in Brisbane on Friday night ahead of this weekend’s Lions-Crows clash at the Gabba.
Speculation is rife that Tippett will head north after contract negotiations stalled with the Crows when the match-winner suffered three heavy head knocks in five weeks.
And Crows’ great Mark Ricciuto kept the rumour mill spinning when he claimed on Tuesday that his money was on Gold Coast-bred Tippett moving to Queensland, after also receiving interest from the Suns.
“If I was to have my last $20 on something now, it would be Tippett won’t be at Adelaide next season,” he wrote in his News Ltd column.
“In fact, I think it’s greater than a 90 per cent chance.”
While Merrett would welcome Tippett with open arms at the Lions, his main priority was stopping the Crows’ goal-machine on Saturday night.
Tippett is tipped to run out for Adelaide after missing four of the past five games with concussion – putting him squarely in the sights of Merrett, who was switched back to defence in last round’s 36-point loss to Carlton.
“I think he kicked five or six on me out here one day. He’s a really good forward and a hard opponent so I’ll have to be switched on,” Merrett said.
“Him (Tippett) and Taylor (Walker) up forward are definitely going to be a hard task this weekend.
“I got towelled up on the weekend but I definitely feel it (defence) is my best position.”
A top-two finish is on the line for Adelaide (2nd; 15-4) but Merrett reckoned the Lions (13th; 7-12) were playing for something much more important.
“We’ve got a lot of points to prove,” said Merrett after five losses in their past six games marred a promising season.
“The last couple of weeks have been really disappointing.
“We are trying to build a lot of character back in the team and finish our season strong.
“They are fighting for a top-two position and a home final but we are fighting for a bit of respect.”
