He’s competitive, aggressive, throws himself at the ball and knows how to find the goals – didn’t Eric Hipwood look impressive in last night’s 8-point win against the Bulldogs?
Hipwood had the footy community talking in the Lions’ second JLT Community Series game. His stats may not reflect it, but the lean 202cm 19-year old made a serious impact on the match with his attack and impressive work around the ground.
His seven disposals, two marks and a goal, was enough to have a comparison be made between him and a 400-game AFL Legend.
Hawthorn great, Dermott Brereton, made the comparison, saying that both Hipwood and Harris Andrews reminded him of wiry Essendon defender, Dustin Fletcher.
“He (Hipwood) will get bigger, stronger and heavier, but I don’t think he’ll turn into a beast. He might be in that Dustin Fletcher mould for his entire career, so he’s got versatility and mobility," Brereton said.
“If we look at the way he’s playing now, he’s a little bit like why Nathan Buckley pushed Travis Cloke aside for Darcy Moore — because he reaches the ball a lot higher off the ground. He meets the ball a long way off the turf.”
Former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon was also impressed with Hipwood's gutsy performance.
“These are big signs for Brisbane because they’re looking at their forward stocks, with Josh Schache not playing tonight, and he’s been so clean with his hands,” Dixon said.
“He’s looked lively, he’s led up to the ball well, he’s gone back and he’s pushed up the ground. He’s got plenty of room to move with his physique as well.
“When he drops the ball, he mops it up and he uses his hands quite well. He’s got good awareness for a big forward.”
Eric Hipwood takes a huge mark against the GWS Giants at the Gabba in 2016. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Media)
Hipwood, a graduate of the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy, burst onto the scenes in 2016. He played 10 games after making his debut in Round 13 against the West Coast Eagles. He finished the year with 11 goals next to his name and was a stand out in the Lions’ Round 14 match against Richmond, where he kicked three goals.
He was also nominated for the 2016 Mark of the Year after taking this huge grab.
Speaking after last night’s match, Senior Coach Chris Fagan said that he was impressed with Hipwood’s competitive nature.
“He’s competitive, isn’t he? It was his first hit-out for the year.”
“He just throws himself at the ball, competes hard. He’ll be better for the run.”
“Lots of promise for him, and if you throw Schache and Close, who I thought competed really well tonight, into the forward line, we’ve got some good talls there that can make an impact.”
Also see: Fagan post-match
