Depleted Brisbane Lions consider moving Eric Hipwood to defensive role

Despite their list of unavailable defenders growing, the Lions shouldn’t move one of their star forwards into the backline, a club great says.

The Lions may shift Eric Hipwood from the forwards to a depleted defensive unit. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane great Alastair Lynch has called for the Lions to resist the temptation of shifting tall forward Eric Hipwood to a depleted defensive unit and instead back their existing structure to beat the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday.

The Lions’ key defensive stocks have suffered yet another blow, with Darragh Joyce ruled out of the QClash at People First Stadium after fracturing his jaw in Brisbane’s two-point weekend win over Sydney.

News of Joyce’s injury came on the back of co-captain and defensive rock Harris Andrews being sidelined after entering concussion protocols.

Throw in Jack Payne’s absence with a foot problem, and season-ending knee injuries for Tom Doedee and Darcy Gardiner, it leaves Ryan Lester as Brisbane’s only key defender.

The depletion has led to speculation that 203cm giant Hipwood – a former under-18 All-Australian defender – could be shifted into Brisbane’s backline to nullify a Suns forward arsenal that includes Ben King (202cm) as well as sizeable pair Jed Walter and Jack Lukosius.

Darragh Joyce is the latest Lions defender to be sidelined. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

However, Lynch said he would be reluctant to tinker with Brisbane’s forward framework to try to patch up the defence.

“I’d stay with the structure they have in place in the forwards,” the three-time premiership winner said.

“They should back themselves to restrict the ball from entering Gold Coast’s forward line.”

Lynch said the likes of Lester and Brandon Starcevich would also need to “play bigger” in Brisbane’s backline in the absence of Andrews, Joyce and Payne.

Lions defender Shadeau Brain said if Hipwood was asked to play in the backs, he would “take it with two hands and be really good down there”.

“We’ll wait for the main (training) session to see what the decision is,” Brain said.

“We would love to have Darragh, `Payney’ and Harris out there but … we’ve got really big confidence with who comes in and plays their role, whether that be from the (VFL) or someone in the team already.

“Those leaders down there, (Dayne) Zorko, Lester, they give you really big confidence going in and just tell you to back your own ability.”

The Lions are chasing an eighth successive win on Saturday, while the Suns can ill afford to lose at home for the first time this season if they are to play finals football for the first time in the club’s history,

“It’s not going to be an easy one. It’s going to be tough, and we’re prepared for it,” Brain said.

“Growing up, watching all the QClashes, you dream of being in one, and now to hopefully play in one is awesome. I can’t wait for the challenge.”

Lynch said the Suns had “no margin for error” such was the pressure they had put on themselves this season with their poor away form.

“If they can win this game, it still gives them a chance of finishing in the top eight,” he said.