AFL LEGEND Tony Lockett believes the Sydney Swans should move Kurt Tippett into defence to revitalise his career, allowing superstar Lance Franklin to command the forward line in games at the SCG.
Lockett, the greatest goalkicker in VFL/AFL history, dominated the attacking 50-metre arc at the Swans' home ground during the second chapter of his record-breaking career.
But the fearsome full-forward said the small dimensions of the SCG made it difficult for Franklin and Tippett to play to their potential in the same forward line.
"It would be for sure because the ball moves that quick these days. You need room, and the way the game's played these days there ain't much of that," Lockett told AFL.com.au.
"The SCG's a very small ground, so there probably is really only room for one of those blokes there.
"Some weekends it's going to work and probably some it's not. It's a hard one, because they're both great players."
The Swans have tinkered with their attacking setup since they lured Tippett from Adelaide on a four-year deal at the end of 2012, and then Franklin on a shock nine-year mega-contract after the 2013 season.
Although goals are only one measure of the pair's effectiveness, the stats show Tippett and Franklin's average output this year when playing together has dropped by two goals per game – down to 4.8 from 6.8 a match last year.
Their combined record at the SCG has also fallen, from 9.3 majors per game to 6.3.
Wayne Carey stoked the debate about Tippett's role this week when he said the 202cm big man "is not delivering enough" in any area except goals (16 this year) for a ruck-forward.
Carey told Channel 7 the high-priced big man should be offered as trade bait to free up the Swans' salary cap.
However, Lockett backed Tippett to recapture his best form at the Swans - potentially in a new role down back.
"I think I'd like to see Tippett have a go at centre half-back or something," said Lockett, who was elevated to Legend status at Thursday night's Australian Football Hall of Fame function.
"Just something a bit different because they're both great players and you've got to keep them both.
"But, as I said, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's a hard choice that Johnny Longmire's got."
Tippett and Franklin's falling output on the scoreboard has not proved detrimental to the Swans so far in 2015, with last year's Grand Finalists sitting third on the ladder with a 7-2 record ahead of Saturday's clash with undermanned Gold Coast.
