We wont know until the week is over but........Sydney have presented themselves as tough, protective and uncompromising. The very qualities that underpin 'culture'. Quite praiseworthy when considering they are the club seeking to recruit (read swindle) for the said Mr Tippett. Even if it all changes on Friday, the original statements by Ireland 2 weeks or so ago, casting in stone that no premiership player or even any father/son Sprigger will ever be traded by the all pervading 'blood' culture, will be left resonating as the remembered voicings and stance of the Swans. Quite clever. Do words speak louder than actions??? Unfortunately for the Crows we have been on the back foot from the first day and the weakness of our position is palpable. We have let the trade value of Tippett dissolve away to the point that in 2012 we have one of the highest paid footballers who, together with the club of his choice are now 'calling the tune'. AFC are the current 'owners' of the assett named Tippett and yet we are now placed in a scenario where we are far from the 'position of power'. I'm sure there are better analogies but it is kinda like having your car repossessed and it hurts.
I don't like it but grudgingly I have to say that (I know the week is yet to pan out and strange things could still happen) Sydney have so far strengthened the perception of their 'culture'. What can AFC do? Have we miscalculated in our previous years of sucking to the retention of Tippett? What can we do from all of this to promote any positives re the AFC 'culture'? Do we cry foul and paint Tippett, Barouche(?) et al as the villians? Or, after the dust has settled do we use the defecation (sorry defection) as a key to more hard nosed list management processes and the key to a strong ruthless on field performance - particularly against the Swans!
Anyway it is still in the mixing pot and I have faith in Noble....the Tippett inheritance is not of his doing.
However it comes out I want the AFC to come forth with strong enduring publicity statements that help to picture the Club as strong, purposeful, united and uncompromising and if need be, PIXXED OFF, rather than a closed ranks, lets keep it in house approach.