KURT Tippett had little hope of finding a new AFL home on Friday after the AFL revealed it had advised Adelaide that any trade involving the key forward would be heavily scrutinised.
Tippett's non-trade unsatisfactory: AFLPA
The AFL, investigating an undisclosed 2009 side agreement between the Crows and Tippett, virtually banned Adelaide from trading Tippett - releasing a statement at the end of the Gillette AFL Trade Period on Friday advising it had told Adelaide it would not accept a trade giving effect to that agreement while its investigation continued.
Crows accused of $200k rort
The Crows now face a possible ban from November's NAB AFL Draft, but the AFL said Tippett could now nominate for the draft and December's pre-season draft pending the results of its investigation and subject to its approval.
The AFL's statement did not specify when the AFL notified the Crows any trade would be heavily scrutinised, but Crows CEO Steven Trigg disclosed the side deal to the AFL last Friday, having intervened to stop a deal that would have sent Tippett to the Sydney Swans for pick No.23 and fringe Swans forward Jesse White.
Final trade movements
The key forward, who had nominated the Swans as his preferred new club before this month's trade period, now finds himself - at least temporarily - without a football home.
The AFL said it had started examining all of Adelaide's records that might be relevant to its investigation, but said it had not set a deadline to release its findings.
The 2009 deal was entered into separately from Tippett's official playing contract lodged with the AFL.
It stated the Crows would trade Tippett to the club of his choice at the end of his playing contract for a second-round pick, an arrangement that might constitute draft tampering.
It also reportedly guaranteed Tippett $200,000 outside his playing contract, to be paid to him by third-party companies or the Crows.
If Tippett is found to have been knowingly involved in any draft or salary cap violations in entering the agreement he faces AFL penalties ranging from a fine and/or suspension to deregistration.
The Crows - and Tippett's manager, Peter Blucher of Velocity Sports - also face hefty AFL sanctions.
Pending the investigation, Tippett might still try to get to the Swans via the NAB AFL Draft or pre-season draft by stipulating hefty salary demands.
The Swans released a statement on Friday night, expressing their disappointment over proceedings and pledging their ongoing commitment to secure the forward.
"Once Kurt nominated the Swans as his preferred club, we entered the trade period with the intention of securing a suitable trade," Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said.
"Our position on Kurt has not changed, and pending the outcome of the AFL's current investigation, we remain committed to recruiting Kurt for the 2013 season."
Adelaide list manager David Noble refused to comment on Tippett when he arrived at Etihad Stadium on Friday morning for last-minute negotiations.
Before nominating the Swans as his preferred new home, Queenslander Tippett had been widely expected to seek a trade to either the Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast.
While the uncertainty surrounding his future brings both Queensland clubs back into the picture, Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said on Friday afternoon Gold Coast had yet to discuss whether it would pursue Tippett.
Ashcroft said the Crows had yet to decided on their draft strategy and had not discussed whether they could fit Tippett under their salary cap.
If Tippett is eligible to nominate for this year's drafts, 2012 wooden-spooner, Greater Western Sydney, has indicated it will consider selecting him.
Tippett played 104 games for Adelaide after debuting in round one, 2008.
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
