However the 25-year-old was looking long-term and right now, it seems his decision was the right one.
After an outstanding year in the SANFL with West Adelaide, North Melbourne beat Melbourne and Fremantle to swoop on the defender and secure him with pick 8 in the Rookie Draft.
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"It was good to have another season with North Adelaide and then I was lucky enough to develop some interest from clubs, and I am really happy to end up at North Melbourne,'' he told the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph.
"It was a big decision (to withdraw from last year's rookie draft) and not something I took lightly, but I spoke to a lot of people and the best thing was to get my body on track. If I had been lucky enough to be taken by someone with a one-year rookie contract I was going to miss the pre-season and we just thought it was best for me to get on top of things.
"I have had a good season and been able to stay fit and injury free, so it's great to have the confidence back that I still have that athletic ability."
The Roos will be Tippett’s third club following stints at Brisbane (2007-2009, 0 games) and Gold Coast (2011, 2 games).
This time, he feels better prepared and knows he’ll have plenty of support and ample players to look up to.
"Scott Thompson is an All-Australian defender so I am going to learn as much as I can from him.”
At 197cm, Tippett has superb athleticism which was showcased at the recent state screenings. The Queenslander excelled in vertical leap and sprint testing but will have to work on his endurance.
His now former coach Andy Collins can’t speak highly enough of his abilities on the field and believes Tippett is the best defender outside of the AFL, claiming he’s primed to make the most of his third chance.
"He's ready to make an impact at an AFL level," Collins said.
"If you look at the opponents he's played on in regards to SANFL - there's AFL guys (Daniel) Stewart and (Lewis) Johnston and then Michael Wundke and Andrew Ainger - he tears them apart.
"Then you put in his Foxtel Cup role and state footy, and he hasn't been beaten.
"North Melbourne is getting a great, level-headed person and a mature and confident footballer."
With some university exams now out of the way, Tippett says he looks forward to making his way to Melbourne to start the next chapter of his football life. He’ll join fellow Rookie selection and Murray Bushrangers midfielder Kayne Turner at the club on Monday and will eagerly await the return of his new team-mates from their training camp overseas.
“They are on an altitude camp in Utah, so I will head over on Sunday (to Melbourne) and get stuck into things, and they won't be there until the following week.''
