The key-defender told he’d be lining up for the Roos against Carlton by defensive coach Josh Drummond.
PRESS PLAY above to watch the moment Tippett learned he'd be playing | YouTube
“Drummo just came up to me after we finished training and said I’d get an opportunity this week so it’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to it,” Tippett said.
The 25-year-old brother of Sydney’s Kurt, Tippett was originally taken as Rookie in the 2007 Draft by Brisbane but didn’t debut. In 2011, he was placed on the Gold Coast list and played two AFL games.
Delisted, he went on to play for West Adelaide in the SANFL where North recruiters spotted him.
“It was a couple of years ago that I played a couple of games with Gold Coast…I’ve got a bit of a pre-match routine so I’ll try to stick to that as best I can but I’m sure I’ll get a little bit nervous before the game…”
Tippett has learned a lot since coming to North and has used the opportunity to get close to all-Australian defender Scott Thompson.
“He’s been teaching me a lot this summer so it’s been great to even be out at training alongside him, so yeah, it will be great to play alongside him as well.”
Drummond says Tippett’s inclusion in the NAB squad was an easy choice for the match committee given his hard work and application.
“He’s shown that he’s extremely hungry to improve and to train. He’s played on Drew (Petrie) and and Aaron Black and guys who are proven AFL players and really held his own, so his mindset has really been impressive.
“That was a bit of a question mark coming from a different system and a different league but the way he’s been able to play the way the want to play and defend how we want to defend as a team has been first class.
“Watching him out on the track, you would have thought he’s been here for two or three years with respect to how fast he’s picked things up.”
Taking opportunities when they arise is the key for any player and a few injuries to some key Roos has opened the door for Tippett.
“Nathan Grima’s been a key defender in the side and had a really good year last year but unfortunately he can’t play this week…he’s not quite ready to go yet, so Joel has more than earned the spot.”
