AFLW 2024 - Round 6 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
I think I've seen some sort of app that shows this? The standard AFL app?
Yeah, it's part of the app now.
Pfft...I can go faster than that in my hyundai.
Pharking Herald Sun (waits for someone to post article)
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FIRST, the good news.
Eric Hipwood — nicknamed the Eel — wants to stay at the Brisbane Lions and be a one-club player.
The $200,000 kid with the potential to be a million-dollar player, and who is already drawing parallels to Lance Franklin, says the Lions will have him, if they want him, for his entire career.
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“I was listening to Luke Hodge at his press conference this week and he said how proud he was to be a one-club player,” Hipwood said.
“And you listen to Jonathan Brown as well, saying how happy he was to be a one-club player when he even had offers from Collingwood and other clubs. To be a Lion my whole entire career would be fantastic.’’
The 19-year-old highlight reel, who is building, learning and training to become one of the AFL’s elite key forwards, is contracted until the end of 2019.
The Lions will probably move late next season to extend his deal, but that’s not in Hipwood’s thinking.
He’s played just 25 games and the progressive enthusiasm of being at the young Lions is ample for him to focus on right now.
“Again, if I was able to stay at one club for my career it would be something I’d be proud of,’’ he said.
Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood says he wants to be a Lion for life. Picture: Getty Images
“I feel like we’re building something special. We’re all the same age, we’re all good mates. I think David Noble (head of football) is a bit surprised how close everyone is.
“We’re all mates, there’s no individuals at our club and we’re all close. It’s a very enjoyable place to be.’’
If there is overwhelming expectation on Hipwood to be the next “Buddy”, he doesn’t feel it.
He hears it, of course.
The TV commentary rarely calls Hipwood without referencing Franklin and always when assessing Brisbane’s future, Hipwood is top of the pops.
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To be fair, it’s difficult not to see the young Bud in the young Eel.
Both exude confidence in their natural gifts. The athleticism, the clockwise swing to unleash the booming left foot and a get-on-your-bike attitude to take on the opposition. Hipwood might even be a better mark than Franklin at the same age.
Lions coach Chris Fagan can see it, too.
Having worked at Hawthorn, Fagan has tried to instil a belief in his young gun, and others on his list, that there was no ceiling placed on Franklin and Jarryd Roughead when they started and look what they have achieved.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan knows he has a beauty in Eric Hipwood. Picture: AAP
Fagan this year sat down Hipwood (202cm), Josh Schache (199cm), Daniel McStay (196cm) and Matthew Hammelmann (197cm) and went through edits and the numbers of Franklin and Roughead at about the same age.
“He showed us what they did at our age, showed us how much development they’ve made, where we’ve got to get to. It gave us an outline where they started,’’ Hipwood said. “Just the little things like how they create a contest, how they get away from their man.
“Obviously as a kid, I watched Buddy and Roughead when they were winning so much, and also Nick Riewoldt I watched a fair bit of him, and Browny as well.’’
And the Franklin comparisons?
“To be honest I don’t look too much into it. I definitely hear of it on the news or via mates on Facebook, but I brush it aside,” he said.
“You can’t really look into it too much because as soon as you do, you’re looking away from the team sport and inviting in individualism when it’s a team sport. It’s about improving the team.’’
Many say Eric Hipwood could be the next Lance Franklin. Picture: AAP
The young Lion is aware of the comparisons to the Hawk-turned-Swan. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Hipwood has a thirst for knowledge. He says he wants to be his own man _ “I want to make my own pathway,’’ he said _ but he’s not foolish enough to ignore those who have gone before him.
In this conversation, he referenced Franklin, Roughead, Brown, Riewoldt, Tommy Lynch, Tom Lonergan, Harry Taylor, Harris Andrews and Joe Daniher.
It’s about learning the craft, seeing the tricks and understanding the work required.
It wasn’t always so for Hipwood.
Born in St Kilda, his family moved to the Sunshine Coast when he was three.
There’s five Hipwoods — mum Leanee, dad Bradley, brother Drew, who is 25, and sister Andie, who is 24 and living in Canada.
At 11, Hipwood was playing footy, soccer and rugby.
“I was even at one stage playing netball,’’ he said.
After a break, he started football again at 13 for Caloundra, and at 15 made his senior debut against Aspley at Aspley as a wingman.
“It was quite funny because dad played his first game in the seniors there as well,’’ he said. That was about 1978.
Bit of Rafa Nadal about Eric Hipwood from @brisbanelions ? #AFLLionsFreopic.twitter.com/v5YCzBhTI1
— Gav Haines (@GavHaines) June 10, 2017
“My first game ... it was a bit scary. We were the underdog and we got up to win.
“I remember my first goal. One of the senior boys shepherded it through when he could’ve easily have taken a chest mark, but he let it go through. They all got around me, it was a good feeling.’’
His penchant for footy accelerated twofold about this time.
He was a member of the Lions’ academy and his folks had Foxtel installed at home.
He went from watching three games a weekend to watching every game in every round and then the analysis shows during the week
“By the time I was 16, I was watching every single game and loved it,” he said. “I watched it all the time.’’
At 18, he was taken at No. 14 in the 2015 national draft as an academy selection.
Even then he began studying teammates and opposition players to improve his game.
In the lead-up to the Essendon game in Round 15, he perused Michael Hartley who played on Franklin the weekend before, just to see how Buddy did it.
Hipwood learned plenty from the loss to Geelong last weekend, too, having been outmanoeuvred by two masters of the defensive craft in Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor.
Hipwood with fellow Lions young guns Josh Schache and Ben Keays. Picture: Sarah Reed
On the agenda over the coming summer is the gym.
“I need to get stronger,’’ he said. “I was nudged under the ball too much. But I’m learning each week. I will get in the gym and get as strong as I can and learn how I can use my body.’’
He arrived at the Lions weighing 82kg. He’s now 92kg.
“We don’t have a set weight to get to,’’ he said. “If you look at Joe Daniher, he’s 96kg and he’s a really, really strong boy. I sort of look at him ... be 95kg and keep your athleticism is the key.’’
A midfielder who sprung north late in his teens, Hipwood is a taller version of Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston.
The Hawks forward was a midfielder as a junior, shot up late, and then became a difficult opponent because of his tank, agility and ball-handling skills.
L-Justin Leppitsch takes a selfie with the Lions’ draft prizes Ben Keays, Sam Skinner, Rhys Mathieson, Josh Schache, Eric Hipwood, Reuben William.
The likelihood with Schache re-signing is that Hipwood will play as the high forward, in a similar way to Daniher and Franklin, and also from the goal square when needed.
“If you look at Jeremy Cameron, he’s moving all the time,’’ Hipwood said. “Even Tom Lynch, he’s up, deep forward, so you have to be able to play both. You have to be flexible because the game can change so quick, also play backline if you’re required.’’
His mantra is: Train hard and reap rewards later on.
He also sees a changing environment at the Lions.
“We’re all just buying into it together,’’ he said. “As a playing group, fundamentally and in the little things, we’re looking to improve and each player is trying to improve each single game. I feel when I come into the club 48 of us are trying to improve every single day.
“I’m just trying to get the most out myself.’’
Cracking article
Ballenden?
Really? My yundi struggles to get out of first.
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Brisbane Lions - Charlie Cameron Player Sponsor 2020
Brisbane Lions - Charlie Cameron Player Sponsor 2019
Brisbane Lions - Hugh McCluggage Player Sponsor 2018
Brisbane Lions Board Tipping Champion
Brisbane Lions - Mitch Robinson Player Sponsor 2017
I dont mind mine. Just when i go from driving an R8 clubsport to my elantra its abit hard.Love my "Elle" Elantra
Never too old. Let him get one. Even if its for a year. They hold some value. Sunday drives are the best in one.You've got one of those? Mr MM wants one too. I told him he's too old for one of those
Damit. You got in before me.
