Senior Eric Hipwood (2015-)

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Player Review: Eric Hipwood
#30 - Eric Hipwood
In his third year at the Club, Eric Hipwood produced his best season yet! The 21-year-old played all 22 Senior games this season and he kicked 37 goals to come away as the Lions' leading goalkicker, ahead of second-placed Dayne Zorko by 11 goals.

Earlier this week, Zorko likened Hipwood to Sydney's superstar Lance Franklin for his dangerous capabilities at ground level. While Zorko admitted that the 52-gamer still has plenty of growth until he would stand amongst the likes of Franklin, he was certain that with a few more pre-seasons under his belt Hipwood could become a superstar. He had 82 shots at goal for the season, with accuracy troubling him at times.

Round 16 was arguably Hipwood's best performance of his career. He kicked a career-high six goals in the Lions' 65-point win over Carlton, the biggest winning margin he has witnessed during his time at the Club. Another great performance came in the Lions' first win of the season against Hawthorn. Hipwood finished with 12 disposals, five marks and kicked a team-high four goals.

The young gun's spectacular efforts in Round 9 and 16 saw him poll a maximum three Brownlow votes on both occasions. Hipwood polled more Brownlow votes than all of his teammates, bar Dayne Beams (18 votes) and Zorko (6), highlighting the exciting times that await as the Hipwood develops his game.

Coaches Comment – Jed Adcock, Forwards Coach

"Another consistent year. For a 20-year-old to have 80 shots at goals shows a lot of promise. We will be working on his accuracy next year to finish off better."

Senior matches: 22
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While it's nice and all that Knightmare gives Hippy a bit of a pump up, the bloke has also put Aaron Francis in his top 20. He's clearly deranged.
 
Eric Hipwood, Dan McStay perform crucial roles in Brisbane’s upset win against West Coast
Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay added some footage to their personal highlight reels on Saturday night that no one may ever see. There’s footage that makes the various footy shows and news bulletins, then there are the clips the coaches love.

The main goalkickers from Brisbane’s stunning upset of West Coast, Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy, provided both with electric performances that have the footy world talking. But it was also a win based on a plan and there may be some clips that you won’t see on your TV at home that say the most about how a five-game winning team from 2018 could knock over the reigning premier in Round 1 the following year.

Hipwood and McStay were significant contributors to the victory, even if the official stats say they combined for just 19 possessions and four marks. The key to West Coast’s premiership success was their intercept marking, which is why three-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass are considered such crucial players. In the Grand Final the pair pulled down 19 marks between them to deny Collingwood. At the Gabba on Saturday night it was just eight.

Cameron was hot property after his stunning three-goal game but he refused to bask in the glory, saying the victory was based on a solid plan and the ability of McStay and Hipwood to implement it. Hipwood worked tirelessly, and cleverly, to engage McGovern so that he was unable to sit in the hole about 30m out from goal and float across to cut off Brisbane forward-50 entries.

“We knew they were a pretty good contested marking side and our plan was to take to that away,’’ Cameron said. “Us forwards recognise what they did for us and the team. “Hippy had McGovern and his selflessness to play a role and drag him away was also important to the win.“I don’t think McGovern was able to have the influence he wanted to have.’’
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Roaring Lions putting their best feet forward (Michael Whiting)

THREE rounds into the season Brisbane is building a good early case for possessing one of the most diverse, potent forward lines in the competition. They're the only team to have topped 100 points in all three matches, and it has come against some quality opposition.

Rangy forward Eric Hipwood kicked six goals in Saturday night's come-from-behind victory over Port and said the forward line chemistry had clicked quickly. "We're not so reliant on one person, we've got so many avenues to goal, which has helped me in a way, taking pressure off," Hipwood said. "You look at the best sides like Collingwood and Richmond, their forward lines are electric, there's so many avenues to goal. "That's what we've tried to create, to be unpredictable to defenders."And unpredictable they've been. With Lincoln McCarthy making an immediate impact after transferring from Geelong and Charlie Cameron back after missing the second half of last year with foot surgery, the front six has a whole new look.

Cameron has kicked eight goals in the three matches, while McCarthy and Hipwood (seven), along with Cam Rayner (five) all offer threats in the air and on the ground. Then there's Dan McStay, who crashes packs and has kicked three goals, along with rapidly improving Oscar McInerney who has also kicked three, including the go-ahead goal in the dying minutes against Port.Between the half-dozen players they've generated 48 scoring shots. Hipwood played down his six-goal performance, saying it was "up there" as one of his best games, but not his absolute best.
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The Talking Point: Hipwood in MRO strife?
Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood could be in trouble for arriving late in a marking contest in the third quarter. Hipwood went to spoil a kick deep inside 50, but collected Jake Lloyd high and a fraction late, resulting in a 50m penalty being paid.

While there was no malice in the hit, the MRO will look at it. The probable outcome is a fine, given it likely will be graded high contact, low impact and careless conduct. Then again, we never really know, do we.
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Brisbane Lions forward Eric Hipwood set for scrutiny over careless elbow
Brisbane Lions forward Eric Hipwood may come under some scrutiny from the Match Review Officer after a careless high hit.

While attempting to spoil the ball, Hipwood made high contact on Swans defender Jake Lloyd during the second quarter, with Sydney players immediately remonstrating with the Lions tall. “He’s making a genuine attempt but he just put the arms up late, almost to protect himself,” Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy.

Brown later added he thought Hipwood was “going to be in some sort of trouble”, but that as Lloyd had got up, it would likely be graded as low contact. If Match Review Officer Michael Christian graded the incident as careless conduct, low impact and high contact, Hipwood would be fined. “We do know it’s outcome based,” Paul Roos said. “The fact he kept on playing … is it too light or is it a fine? [It’s] A fine for me.”
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