“This is credit to all the people who have helped me develop from the junior days to the senior ranks” – Eric Hipwood has talked about the major role the Queensland footy community has played ahead of his debut for the Brisbane Lions.

The 18-year-old will make his AFL debut against West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday after impressing as a key forward and key defender in the NEAFL this year.

The Sunshine Coast junior and Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy graduate was taken at pick No.14 in last year’s national draft after making the All-Australian Under-18 team in 2015.

The 203cm-tall Hipwood started at the Caloundra Panthers before playing with the Aspley Hornets in the NEAFL and is the 20th debutant at Brisbane since Justin Leppitsch took the reins as senior coach.

The 20 debutants is the most for any club in the AFL since the start of 2014.

Agile for his size and a strong overhead mark, Hipwood is rated so highly at the Gabba, he was re-signed by Brisbane last month until the end of 2019.

Hipwood said many people within the Queensland football community had helped him realise a childhood dream.

“It’s great to represent Caloundra in this way and the other teams I’ve played for along the talent pathway,’’ Hipwood told The Courier-Mail.

“As much as I might get credit, this is credit to all the people who have helped me develop from the junior days to the senior ranks.

“I was pretty lost for words when Leppa said I was in the side. All the boys were pretty pumped for me.

“I felt like I’d been playing well in the NEAFL and I was putting my hand up for selection so it’s great to get an opportunity.’’

Hipwood has grown almost four centimetres since last year and will join fellow first-year player Josh Schache in a very young but very tall Lions forward line.

First-year midfielder/forward Ben Keays adds to the green Brisbane attacking setup but the Lions are committed to getting as many games as possible into their young cubs.

“It’s a young forward line but it will be great to be out there alongside Josh and Ben after we got drafted together,’’ Hipwood said.

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