Hipgrave always destined to be star
KEEGAN Hipgrave was lauded for his toughness in soldiering on amid a wrist injury at the weekend and it’s a quality one of his former coaches says has been present since his junior days.
Ex-Gold Coast Chargers and Seagulls player Mark Ross coached Hipgrave at the Nerang Roosters from under-13s to under-15s and recognised he had a special talent.
“Keegan, he was always enthusiastic,” said Ross, now the A-grade coach at Southport Tigers. “He would stick his head where you wouldn’t put your foot and he didn’t have any fear.
“He has got a great family, I think that is important that he has got a good family environment that made sure he had everything at his disposal. He’s just a good kid. Keegan was always destined to do something.
“He could have been a very good surf lifesaver, a very good water polo player, a very good footballer, because he is just a competitor.
“He was good fun to coach when he was young. It is easier to take enthusiasm out of a player than put it into them sometimes and that was one thing I didn’t have to worry about with Keegs.
“He was just straight into them and led the charge.”
Ross and Hipgrave combined for two premierships during their time at Nerang.
Hipgrave was feared to have fractured his wrist against the Storm at Suncorp Stadium but has since been cleared of major damage.
SATURDAY’S BIG Q&A: Connor O’Brien sits down with Mark Ross