Hope for golden era Lions legend tips Eric to lead Brisbane surge
LIONS legend Jonathan Brown says Rising Star nominee Eric Hipwood could be part of the AFL’s best goalto-goal spine in five years’ time.
Hipwood, 19, won the AFL Rising Star for Round 5 after booting three goals in Brisbane’s gutsy 32-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday to continue his eyecatching 2017 form.
The athletic 202cm, 92kg key forward has now kicked 20 goals in 15 senior matches since he made his AFL debut in Round 13 last year.
Brown said along with fellow forward Josh Schache and key defenders Harris Andrews and Daniel McStay, Hipwood was an integral part of Brisbane’s future.
“To me, that spine all the way down the ground is the best in the comp in five years’ time,’’ Brown said.
“If the Lions can keep all those guys together, they will be at the pointy end of the ladder, year-in, year-out.
“I’m excited about what the Lions have got there. A lot of teams don’t have that sort of talent in their spine.
“If you want to have longevity as a good side, you need good key position players and we just have to be patient with them now.’’
Brown said the more he sees Hipwood play, the more he likes about the former Caloundra Panthers junior with his brave attack on the ball in marking contests the standout aspect of his game.
“He has a real competitive streak to him,’’ Brown said. “It’s one thing to be athletically gifted but it’s another to put it into action.
“At 202cm, being lightning quick and ultra-competitive, good luck to whoever is playing on him now and in the future.’’
Hipwood said defensive pressure and contest work were the two main things he measured himself on.
“I hate losing. Even on the weekend, I just can’t stand losing. I hate it,’’ he said. “It was just the way I grew up.’’