Hipwood gets to share the burden
ERIC Hipwood has a big job when Brisbane hosts West Coast today.
He will provide a target in attack against the premiership-winning Eagles defence. A target, not the target.
Now entering his fourth AFL season, Hipwood, 21, has at times appeared a one-man band up forward. Not now. He remains the focal point. This is a guy who burst on to the scene with bags of three and four goals in his second and third games in 2016.
He slotted a career-best six against Carlton last season, in among hauls of four and three as he topped the Lions goalkicking with 37.
But Hipwood will now have the benefit of playing alongside the strong marking Dan Mcstay, a fit Charlie Cameron, Geelong recruit Lincoln Mccarthy, powerful teen Cam Rayner and beanpole Oscar Mcinerney. It’s an imposing set-up, with Mcstay set to be a permanent fixture in attack.
“Dan and I work really well together. He’s a left footer as well,” Hipwood says. “The more games we play together the better we’re going to be.”
The pressure will be lifted from the shoulders of the 52-gamer from Caloundra who has had to carry the burden of being compared to the great Lance “Buddy” Franklin.
He’s a 203cm left-footer who runs like the wind – and can kick a goal from anywhere.
There has been a weight of expec- tation, in more ways than one. Conversations with Hipwood often come back to him putting on muscle.
“All the fans are always at me about putting weight on,” he says. “But it’s is a slow process, and it will eventually come. I’m still working just as hard as any player in the gym.
“I’d like to be a bit heavier than I am now. But, I’ve got to be smart about the way I put weight on.
“You don’t want to lose that athleticism, that running capacity.
“I’ve looked at players like Jeremy Cameron, who’s not the biggest bloke but he’s still a big forward and been absolutely dominating.
“In the AFL now, you’ve got to be able to be mobile, but strong as well.”
Such is their promise, the Lions are expected to be the big movers.
“The media is hyping us up a little more than usual,” he said. “We do block it out, but we obviously have our own expectations as a club.
“We’ve just been taking it day by day, just training hard.”
The outstanding kids are another year older and they’ve added star recruits in Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons, Marcus Adams and Mccarthy.
“They have been extraordinary for our club, lifting the training standards,” Hipwood said.
With the pre-season done and dusted, Hipwood can’t wait to turn it on today.
“It hit me on Monday that it’s round one. I got really excited. Geez, it’s come around quickly.”