CHIEF executive Steven Trigg has dismissed speculation Adelaide will trade Kurt Tippett at the end of the season due to a clause in the star forward's contract that could allow him to join Gold Coast at the end of 2012.
Tippett knocked back a lucrative offer from the Suns believed to have been worth up to $700,000 a season to re-sign with the Crows at the end of 2009.
However, a move north could still be on the cards for the 203cm Queenslander according to a report in The Age newspaper on Tuesday, which suggested Tippett's agreement with Adelaide allowed him to move to the club of his choice at the end of next season.
It was also speculated the Crows could receive a second and possibly third-round selection in exchange for the 24-year-old.
The report prompted calls for the club to trade Tippett at the end of this season and net a better return.
Trigg declined to comment on the specific details of a player contract but insisted the competitive goalkicker would remain at West Lakes in 2012.
"Kurt Tippett is contracted and will be playing at the Adelaide Football Club in 2012," Trigg said in a statement.
"As was the case last time, we'll be backing ourselves to keep Kurt beyond the 2012 season."
Young Crows forward Jack Gunston, who has kicked five goals in the injured Tippett's absence over the past fortnight, said he was hopeful the one-time leading goalkicker would agree to stay at the club long-term.
"Kurt's definitely an important part in the make-up of our side," Gunston said.
"I'd definitely love to see him stay here and be here for a long time yet."
Gunston, who was drafted by the club with pick No.29 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, is also the subject of contract talks.
The 19-year-old's current deal with the Crows expires at the end of the season, but he said he had no plans of leaving West Lakes.
"It's something we're working through now and we'll get that done by the end of the season," he said.
"It's a great, young developing group and we've got some exciting talent coming through. I can only see an upside here."
Gunston starred in Adelaide's narrow win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend, kicking 3.3 from seven marks.
It followed a two-goal performance against Port Adelaide the week prior.
The former Haileybury College student has now played nine games in total and said he was starting to gel with his teammates in the forward line.
"Every week I feel a lot more comfortable playing at the [AFL] level," he said.
"I think it helps playing with Taylor Walker and 'Tippo' when he's there, just to get the relationship up.
"Playing the footy we are at the moment, it's good to be up forward."
Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
