Playing against Carlton’s number one forward Jarrad Waite, the key-defender was on top all day, holding his opponent goalless and to just two kicks.
PRESS PLAY above to watch Tippett's highlights | YouTube
When you consider Waite registered almost 80 per cent game time and was a frequent target in the forward half, it speak volumes of Tippett’s efforts.
A prime example is shown early in the last quarter. The Kangaroos’ backman has front position heading to the drop of the ball. Even when the Sherrin takes an unfortunate bounce, he has the agility to recover, gather and rebound away from Carlton’s number 30.
At 196 centimetres, Tippett is almost tall enough to play in the ruck, but his work coming out of defence was also a highlights. With five rebound 50’s, he lead all-comers in the stat.
His efforts by foot were also pleasing.
The long kick out of defence shown below was tougher than it looked. Even if Tippett left it just a metre short, kicking into the wind, it would have been a relatively easy mark to the Blues’ Mitch Robinson and a launch into attack.
However, the number 36 managed to get enough distance and air-time on the kick to give his team-mate Sam Wright every chance in the contest.
With three spoils, all effective, Tippett also was the Kangaroos’ leader on the day. He demonstrated good pace to make up distance in the below play in the third quarter.
After pressure from Robin Nahas slightly affected Marc Murphy’s kick, Waite is under the ball, positioned to take the mark.
It’s common in a situation like this to see a defender go straight into their opponent’s back, giving away a free kick, but Tippett avoided this and smartly spoiled the ball over the boundary line, resetting the play.
Following the match, Brad Scott had plenty of praise for the rookie.
"We thought he was the best key defender outside the AFL last year. He slotted in and played on a really good player today and showed good athleticism.
"Really, he replicated his training form over the pre-season so that's why we were keen to get him in today."
