Daniher, McStay and Hipwood set to reunite in Brisbane’s forward line

Joe Daniher’s likely return to Brisbane’s team this weekend is set to take some of the heat off Dan McStay and Eric Hipwood.

Joe Daniher is set to return this weekend for the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The prospect of towering trio Joe Daniher, Dan McStay and Eric Hipwood playing together in Brisbane’s forward line for the first time this season excites Lions defender Brandon Starcevich.

After missing five matches with a shoulder injury, Daniher is expected to make his return to Brisbane’s line-up for Saturday night’s match against St Kilda at the Gabba.

And with Hipwood having only been back for four matches after missing 10 months with a serious knee injury, Brisbane teams this season are yet feature the three giants in the same line-up.

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“They’re all really dynamic players and they offer us a lot,” Starcevich said.

“They worked really well together in the games they played (together last season), so it’ll good to see him go at it together hopefully this weekend.”

Starcevich said Daniher would “take pressure off” McStay and Hipwood.

“His big presence up there will lift spirits when he gets on the end of a few (kicks) and kicks a few goals,” he said of Daniher.

“Having him out there is definitely better than not.”

Daniher’s return is timely for the second-placed Lions, who have tasted defeat in two of their past three matches, including a 14-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium last Sunday.

Starcevich said the Lions needed to improve their pressure around the ball, with Brisbane having leaked too many points from stoppages in recent weeks,

“When our pressure is on, we’re really good at it,” he said.

“We’ve seen over the last couple of years we’re one of the best pressure teams in the competition, especially around the ball.

“We know we can do it. It’s probably just doing it all the time. Maybe we just lapsed in a couple of moments in games.

“Our best footy (against Fremantle) was really good. We just missed some opportunities. We were definitely right in that game.”

Originally published as Daniher, McStay and Hipwood set to reunite in Brisbane’s forward line