“There is nowhere else I want to be. It was an easy decision’’ – the words of Eric Hipwood have become a common phrase around the Brisbane Lions in recent times.
Hipwood was speaking to The Courier-Mail after signing a two-year contract extension which will keep him at the Gabba until the end of 2019.
The 18-year-old Queenslander is yet to play a senior game but is viewed by the Club as an important long-term prospect as he can operate as a key position player at either end of the ground.
The 200cm-tall Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy graduate was taken at pick No. 14 in last year’s draft and is among 14 players to recommit to the Club since the end of last season.
"It was a pretty easy decision - all of the boys have re-committed, there's been 14 now, and my family are close so it would be silly not to re-sign,” Hipwood told The Courier-Mail.
Speaking about his efforts for the Lions in the NEAFL to date, where he has been one of his side’s best on a consistent basis in 2016, Hipwood said: "It is hard to look at it from a personal point-of-view when we are getting beaten. I'm playing both ends which is good experience. It can change any time, I don’t mind where I play as long as I can help the team.”
And Hipwood said the Senior debuts and good form of fellow first-year players Josh Schache and Ben Keays had given him plenty of encouragement.
“I’m really happy for the guys,” said Hipwood. “They've gone really well so I'm proud of them and hopefully I can have a similar impact when I get my first game.
"It spurs you on. Seeing them do it, makes you want to do it as well.''
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