Tippett, who turned 27 today, proved his fitness at Wednesday evening’s training session and is set to play his first senior match since last year’s semi final against Carlton.
Speaking to SwansTV about the blockbuster clash, Tippett said he was thrilled to finally be fit and ready to play.
“It’s very exciting,” Tippett said.
“It’s been a long time since I last put on the red and white, so to run out with my new team mates and the guys who have been playing all season is very exciting for me and I can’t wait to get out there.”
Following a long lay-off with a knee injury suffered in the final against the Blues, Tippett looked set to return to senior football after a strong showing in the NEAFL at the SCG on April 19.
But just as Tippett’s scheduled playing time was almost up, the forward suffered a heavy knock to the back, which resulted in a cracked rib and two more weeks on the sidelines.
“It was disappointing and it was hard to take after a long process getting my knee right and getting some strength back into it and getting conditioned again,” Tippett said.
“Then to come out and cop a bit of a knock and to have a bit of a setback was hard, but that’s football.
“There are guys with a lot worse scenarios around, so I’m very grateful to be out there this weekend.
“The rib has healed up quickly and my knee feels strong.
“I’ve done all the work there so now I’m moving forward.”
Tippett is the not the only big inclusion for Friday night’s game, with Lance Franklin also set to return for the Swans after missing a week with a knee complaint.
With the pair in the side, tomorrow night’s game will mark the first occasion that Tippett and Franklin, as well as Adam Goodes and Sam Reid, will line up together in the same team, a prospect that excites Tippett.
“It’s exciting and I’m really looking forward to working up forward with Lance,” he said.
“I’ll also be playing with Adam Goodes, who I haven’t played a lot of football with either, so it’s very exciting to have a bit of a new-look forward line.
“Our challenge is to be able to come in together, to work well and to hopefully kick a big score.”
Tippett acknowledged his first match back would not be an easy one, and described the Hawks as one of the benchmark teams of the competition.
“Hawthorn is the form side of the competition, so we’re going to have to rise to the occasion,” Tippett said.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us and we’re going to find out where we’re at.
“It’s very exciting and we’re looking forward to it.”
