The Swans’ powerhouse forward line is piecing together at the right time with Kurt Tippett confident he will be fit and firing for the club’s season opener against Essendon at ANZ Stadium.
Tippett, who has sat out the entire NAB Challenge series recovering from a leg injury, is chomping at the bit to run out with teammates in round one.
“I took some good steps recently so we can say, from the plan we devised when I first hurt myself, we’re on track,” Tippett told sydneywans.com.au
“I’m looking forward to round one and being out there with the boys, that’s what’s most important to me that’s why I do all the hard work and everything I possibly can do.”
Don’t just take Tippet’s word for it with general manager of football Tom Harley confirming the star forward is on track.
“He’s tracking as planned from three weeks ago,” Harley said on Monday.
“He’s ramped up his running and he’ll have a good hit out this weekend with some extended match play.
“So we’re really hopeful and there hasn’t been any hiccup to suggest he won’t be available for round one.”
Tippett, who was enjoying his best preseason to date, suffered an “innocuous twist” in his knee and has been training away from the main group strengthening and regaining mobility in preparation for the home and away season.
While it’s been frustrating for the 130-game key forward to be restricted to the sidelines, Tippett has remained positive and believed a lack of match practice will not hamper the start of his 2015 campaign.
“The strength work has been done,” Tippett said.
“It’s just about letting the knee get strong enough again so when I’m playing the game and changing direction, it’s going to be fine. I’ve got no doubt it will be.
“No doubt any time you’re injured it’s frustrating. I hate missing out on a sessions and doing the work with your teammates.
“But it’s just one of those things, you can’t let your mental state get you down, there’s too much footy to come and you have to keep looking forward.”
Tippett is expected to spend more time in the ruck to become and multi-talented player and give the likes of Mike Pyke a chop out as well as alongside Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes in the forward line.
