Hipgrave vows to keep up aggression
KEEGAN Hipgrave says he won’t change the aggressive edge to his game despite picking up a pair of suspensions early in his NRL career.
The Gold Coast product has been pegged as the “new Greg Bird” and is happy to wear the moniker after modelling his game on the tough Broncos and Titans forwards he has grown up around.
A Brisbane under-20 representative, the former Palm Beach Currumbin student returned to the Coast midway through last season after linking with the Titans and made his NRL debut late last year.
And while he has already earned the ire of referees, Hipgrave has the admiration of coach Garth Brennan and teammates who love his aggressive approach.
“Garth pulled me aside (after I was suspended) and he loves the aggression, he likes that about me, so I haven’t changed a thing,” said Hipgrave, who will take on a feisty Roosters pack tomorrow.
“I’ve obviously tinkered a couple of things but overall with my aggression it hasn’t changed.”
Hipgrave grew up watching the Titans and idolising their tough forwards.
“Greg Bird, Luke Bailey, those old bulls were nice and tough,” he said.
While he’s most often compared to Bird, he is determined to be his own man.
“I think we have similar traits but I think we’re two totally different players,” Hipgrave said.