Crows await Kurt's call
Adelaide says it has done all it can to convince Kurt Tippett to stay - the rest is up to him
ADELAIDE has done everything it possibly can to convince star forward Kurt Tippett to stay at West Lakes, the decision on his future is now entirely up to him.
That's the call from Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo on Monday, who said he would speak with the out-of-contract forward in the hope of securing his signature.
Tippett suspended contract talks with the Crows until the end of the season in August, to "focus solely on performing on-field" according to Crows football manager Phil Harper.
The 25-year-old's decision came after a much-publicised meeting between his management and the Crows and after his refusal to sign a reported five-year deal worth more than $3 million.
With his family based on the Gold Coast, Tippett was linked to the Brisbane Lions earlier this year who, with Brendan Fevola now paid out, have money to throw around.
Playing for the Suns would also allow him to return home.
Van Berlo admitted he would again talk to Tippett this week, but insisted that wherever he decided to play football in 2013, Adelaide players and officials could rest easy in the knowledge nothing more could have been done to entice the Queensland native to remain in South Australia.
"Obviously there will be conversations with the boys no doubt throughout this week," van Berlo said.
"I talk to him as a captain and as a mate, so we'll certainly have a chat at some point and at the end of the day it's going to be his decision, but it's one that we'll know we've done everything as a club and as teammates to make him want to stay."
Tippett's future looked to have played on his mind throughout the finals series, with coach Brenton Sanderson conceding the forward had performed below expectations against the Swans and Fremantle in the club's qualifying final and semi-final.
Recently, Adelaide's inaugural coach Graham Cornes publicly stated Tippett owed the Crows a big game, while Port Adelaide legend Warren Tredrea called for the 202cm giant to be axed from the line-up.
But in a resounding answer to his critics, Tippett dominated the preliminary final clash with 11 marks and four goals.
Van Berlo said Tippett's performance was proof that, at his best, he's easily one of the AFL's best power forwards and a crucial member of Adelaide's team.
"Tippo's really important and we've always outlined his importance to us, the weekend was a good example of that," he said.
"He certainly demands the best defender and when he's able to perform at his best he's one of the best going around in the competition, there's no doubt about it."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.