Brisbane Lions forward Eric Hipwood ‘enjoying’ his footy more than ever before
Despite not having listened to Jonathan Brown earlier this season, Eric Hipwood says he will welcome any advice from the Brisbane Lions great.
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Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood insists he’s happy to take advice from Jonathan Brown despite claiming he “didn’t listen” to the Lions great’s criticism of his early season form.
Since Brown’s declaration that he had “serious doubts” whether the Lions could win the premiership with the forward pairing of Hipwood and Joe Daniher, Brisbane has won seven successive games.
However, the Lions’ hopes of extending their winning run on Sunday against the Crows in Adelaide have taken a blow, with in-form defender Jack Payne ruled out after suffering delayed concussion in the aftermath of Brisbane’s 43-point weekend victory over the Gold Coast Suns.
Payne’s absence could lead to an AFL recall for Darcy Gardiner, who has made his comeback from shoulder, foot and adductor issues through the club’s VFL team.
Meanwhile, Brown’s comments came after Hipwood and Daniher had combined for just seven goals and three contested marks in the Lions’ opening three matches of the season, two of which they lost.
“I’m not surprised it was there, I just didn’t listen to it,” Hipwood said on Tuesday when asked about Brown’s comments.
“I just listen to the coaches internally and my teammates … (but) he (Brown) is a great of the game and anything he’s got to say I’ll certainly listen to, if it comes across my desk.”
While Hipwood has been in solid form during Brisbane’s winning streak, Daniher – who has averaged five goals a game in the Lions’ past two matches – has elevated his game to the next level.
“Joe has been awesome for me,” Hipwood said.
“His leadership that he shows just for me and the experience that he’s got – it’s awesome. “He’s a very calm head, and he’s someone that I go to a lot and ask a lot of questions and bounce ideas off him.
“It’s pretty cool to watch him up and going. I feel like this seven-week period has been my most enjoyable footy that I’ve played – that’s for sure.”
Hipwood also said the addition of former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston to Brisbane’s forward line had also helped him.
“He adds another dimension and another avenue to goal, which is awesome,” he said of the three-time premiership winner.
“He just brings that experienced head. It can be a very complicated game at times, but he simplifies it and explains it pretty well.”
Hipwood was pleased the Lions had been able to turn their season around after a slow start.
“The game, if you can watch it from a bird’s-eye view, it’s been the way that we want to play, which has been awesome, but we won’t look much further than Adelaide this week,” he said.
Originally published as Brisbane Lions forward Eric Hipwood ‘enjoying’ his footy more than ever before
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