AFL: Lions – No change in Tippett situation

Kurt Tippett’s protracted move to the Brisbane Lions appears no closer to being resolved after head coach Michael Voss played down talk linking the Queenslanders with a move for the Adelaide star.

Tippett has reportedly rejected a new contract with the Crows, leading a host of AFL sides to begin the process of trying to attract one of the best forwards in the league.

The Lions link to Tippett strengthened when it became clear Brendan Fevloa’s disappointing spell in Brisbane would come to an end when the current season’s closes, freeing up space in the salary cap in which to accommodate what would be a real marquee signing.

Head coach Michael Voss rejected talk that a deal to bring Tippett to Queensland was all but agreed, insisting the focus remained on finishing the season well and leaving plans for next season until the end of the campaign.

“Where that sits at the moment is really nowhere. He’s an Adelaide player and will be an Adelaide player until that day comes where if he decides otherwise.”

“Outside of that, we’ve got a job to be able to do and that’s where our focus firmly lies,” admitted Voss.

Whether or not Tippett would be interested in leaving Adelaide for a team that currently sit 13th in the AFL ladder remains to be seen. But Brisbane’s ambitions are clear to anybody,with plenty of AFL tips predicting a revival in the coming years.

Tippett could be tempted to be part of the project the Lions are currently undertaking, especially if he is offered a contract by the Lions which his current club can’t match.

Wimbledon Men and Women’s Doubles Preview

Experience goes a long way in doubles. Playing together for sustained periods helps partnerships develop, but the game itself is made easier by the knowledge of angles and shot selection that only experience can bring.

It is therefore no surprise that the protagonists in the men’s doubles have plenty of years on the doubles circuit behind them. Veteran top seeds, Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor, joined forces two years ago, and recently won the French Open for a second time.

They possess the ideal ingredients for doubles success of a crafty left-hander and powerful right-hander, and are the top ranked players on tour, having been the most successful pair this season. They suffered a shock second round exit at Wimbledon in 2011.

Defending champions, the Bryan brothers, are second seeds and no pair knows each other’s game better. Runners-up in Melbourne and Paris, they are well-fancied to go one better at SW19 and win the title for the third time.

Polish pair, Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski, are seeded third, and have not won a Slam together in 11 years of trying.

They have never reached the third round at Wimbledon ,and punters placing a tennis bet will look at Radek Stepanek and Leander Paes (Australian Open champions) and Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau (Wimbledon runners-up in 2010 and 2011) as likelier challengers to the two sets of favourites.

In the women’s event, top seeds and number one ranked pair Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond have struggled this year at the slams and punters will be more tempted by Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik, third seeds and defending champions.

Italian second seeds, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, are virtually alone in the 16 pairs of seeds, as being elite singles players in their own right; they are high in confidence, after winning at Roland Garros.

However, grass does not suit them, and a run to even the last four would be a surprise. Fifth seeds, Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina, are a new-look pair, but they will be strong on grass, and could go far.

The Betfair Wimbledon 2012 page has all the information you need to bet successfully on the competitors, this summer.