‘Had no right’: Freakish Eric Hipwood goal blows Grand Final wide open

Channel 7’s sideline reporter Abbey Holmes’ face said it all after Eric Hipwood rubbed salt in the wounds as they put Sydney to the sword.

Eric Hipwood celebration and Abbey Holmes' reaction. Photos: Channel 7

When it’s your day, it’s your day.

The Brisbane Lions all but wrapped up the AFL Grand Final by halftime after a stunning onslaught blew the game wide open last in the second quarter.

After Brisbane led by eight at quarter time, the Lions exploded late in the half booting seven goals to one to open up a 46-point lead at the main break.

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At that point, the Swans would have need to overcome the biggest ever grand final deficit to win, with the biggest comeback in history Carlton’s 44-point bounce back over Collingwood in 1970.

It was an astounding passage of play for the Lions as they erupted just before the break.

But the pièce de résistance for Brisbane was Eric Hipwood’s goal — the third last of the quarter which put the Lions up by 35 with four minutes left in the half.

After the ball went to first half star Kai Lohmann in the pocket, the 21-year-old was out of room in his bid to kick a fourth goal, instead handballing back to left-footer Hipwood.

With no room move along the sideline and a ridiculous angle, Hipwood threw it on the boot, sending it straight through the sticks for yet another major.

“How did he kick that from there? They are on fire,” commentator Brian Taylor said in commentary.

After the goal, Hipwood put one hand on top of his head and the other on his mouth, channelling Jason Akermanis from a 2005 against Geelong.

Jason Akermanis' famous goal celebration.

Eric Hipwood pulled an Aker. Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images

In that game, Akermanis kicked two goals in a minute

“These are one of those Hail Mary’s that you think there’s no chance, especially with the wind that’s pushing from left to right in the pocket,” Luke Hodge said on Hipwood’s goal.

“I’ve seen that reaction and the crowd somewhere before.”

Joel Selwood said: “Aker would’ve enjoyed that and I’m sure he’s enjoying seeing himself on the screen again.”

But it was just the start of the reaction as Seven boundary ride Abbey Holmes was blown away by the result, which was filmed.

She wasn’t the only one who couldn’t believe what she’d seen with other fans also left in disbelief.

Fox Sports’ Max Laughton tweeted: “Eric Hipwood doing that is either the sign it’s all over, or the Caleb Daniel/Max Gawn sign Sydney is about to kick a million goals in a row.”

One fan said: “No f**king way! Can’t kick usually one from directly in front, but in a Grand Final falls over, and dobs one from the boundary. Ladies and Gentleman, Eric Hipwood.”

Another fan commented: “Hipwood with an Akermanis celebration! Nice. What a goal!”

A third commented: “If Hipwood kicks goals like that then you know it’s your day.”

A fourth said: “ERIC HIPWOOD – ARE YOU F**KING SERIOUS! THAT BALL HAD NO RIGHT!!”

A fifth added: “If Hipwood’s kicking that there’s absolutely no shot they’re losing this game.”

It really was the beginning of the end as the Lions kicked 73 points ahead at the end of the premiership quarter before taking the foot off the accelerator in the fourth, running away 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) winners.

Originally published as ‘Had no right’: Freakish Eric Hipwood goal blows Grand Final wide open