Sydney key forward Sam Reid has described potential future teammate Kurt Tippett as a super player as the AFL community waits to see whether the Adelaide star links up with the newly-minted premiers.
Tippett, who was expected to join either Brisbane or Gold Coast, announced on Saturday he had accepted a conditional four-year contract with Sydney, dependent on the Swans and Crows nutting out a deal.
The clubs will meet in the new extended three-week trade period starting on Monday.
According to the AFL website, Tippett’s manger Peter Blucher denied reports that a clause in his client’s contract stipulated he could go to a club of his choice for just a second-round pick.
Adelaide would surely seek something better than that for a 25-year-old player who kicked 39 goals in 21 games this season and has a career record of 188 majors from 104 senior appearances.
Sydney’s top goalkicker this season was speedster Lewis Jetta with 45 followed by Adam Goodes 37 and Reid 31.
High-leaping marker Reid, who was tagged as Sydney’s future franchise player after signing a five-year deal in 2011, is the Swans main aerial attacking threat though he is still a work in progress.
Asked about the possibility of two-metre plus Tippett joining Sydney, Reid told AAP: “Obviously he’s a super player. I’m not sure what’s going on, it’s all up to the football department.”
Sydney-born Tippett said his decision was based on football and lifestyle factors.
Other clubs will be looking to improve their list over the trade period, a time in which Sydney have traditionally enjoyed success.
Former Tiger Mitch Morton is one player who added value to their roster after being traded at the end of 2011.
Collingwood premiership player Sharrod Wellingham is another big name looking for a new home.
While Wellingham has nominated West Coast as his preferred club, Port Adelaide and Melbourne are believed to be among other potential suitors.
The Melbourne deal is also believed to include sending Chris Dawes from Collingwood in exchange for the fourth overall pick, though Wellingham is reportedly not interested in moving to the Demons.