national-sport, afl

KURT Tippett's lawyer has expressed concern that Adelaide and the AFL have employed the same law firm to deal with the serious charges of salary cap and draft tampering. But neither the club, nor the league, appear bothered by the perception that independence could be compromised by the arrangement. Minter Ellison Lawyers - enlisted by Adelaide and the AFL - said the Melbourne office would represent the AFL, through partner David Poulton, while the firm's Adelaide branch would represent the Crows through partner Andrew Short. David Galbally, who is acting for Tippett, said on Saturday: ''I'd just say that it's a very interesting situation.'' But other than to confirm he had raised concerns with Minter Ellison, Galbally would not elaborate. Asked whether he believed AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou should withdraw from the AFL Commission hearing on the Adelaide scandal given the league boss is known to have had extensive conversations about the matter with Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman, Galbally said: ''I don't think it would be fair for me to comment publicly on that at the moment.'' Demetriou is said to feel sufficiently distanced to be able to take his place at the hearing despite the fact Chapman admitted he had confided in the AFL chief executive about his version. After initial plans to be represented by Minter Ellison Adelaide, Crows chief executive Steven Trigg, who stands to receive a significant suspension, has engaged another legal firm. Adelaide football manager Phil Harper and his predecessor John Reid have also employed separate law firms.