AFL news 2024: Eric Hipwood’s move to defence another string in Lions’ bow in flag hunt
With its five first-choice key defenders unavailable, Brisbane turned to forward Eric Hipwood to fill a void in the backline. While he was a fish out of water at times, he said he loved the move.
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To Brisbane coach Chris Fagan it was a “crisis situation” but ask makeshift key defender Eric Hipwood and he will tell you “it was fun down there” in the heart of the Lions’ defence.
Brisbane’s beleaguered backline was put under the ultimate stress test in Saturday night’s QClash victory over Gold Coast, with its first five key defenders all unavailable due to injury including All-Australian fancy Harris Andrews.
It forced the Lions to pull the unusual lever of sending key forward Hipwood to the opposite end of the ground, for a potentially match-defining match-up on Ben King.
And while the Suns’ spearhead won the battle early on, albeit without being able to hit the scoreboard, Hipwood grew into the role over four quarters and played a pivotal part in Brisbane’s eighth-consecutive victory, which lifted the Lions into second on the ladder.
“I was told pretty early on Monday (I would play in defence),” Hipwood told this masthead.
“I looked out of place at times I’ve got no doubt, but we have so much experience down back and a lot of the older guys were able to help me out. Harris was great throughout the week, same with our (backline) coach Dale Morris.”
Fagan sang the praises of his forward-turned-defender, though also conceding Hipwood “looked a little bit at sea to start with” opposed to King before building into the contest.
“When you have some of these crisis situations they’re actually good in a way because you learn a little bit more about your team and I thought we got a few learnings tonight – we’re a bit more flexible than I thought,” Fagan said.
“Our recruiters have done a great job to put this group together and we’re just discovering now that when it’s being tested for depth, there’s a bit there. It is one of the great things to come out of the season so far.”
Hipwood’s history as a key defender at U18 level was discussed during the week as speculation became certainty that he would take the crucial match-up on King.
After 170 AFL games starting as a key forward, it was hardly “just like riding a bike” for the 26 year old, who was still able to sneak a goal off the back of a 50m penalty.
But he revealed a unique quirk in Brisbane’s monthly team meetings – and his pre-season preparations with Andrews – had steeled him for the moment.
“What put me in good stead was throughout the year once a month or so we do our line meetings in our team meeting, so I was able to be educated to a degree about our backline and how the system works,” Hipwood said.
“And I think the one thing I love about pre-season is I get to work closely with Harris and learn what a defender likes and doesn’t like and take little things from there. It was good to just sit down with him throughout the week.”
Brisbane’s early season injury toll threatened to derail its campaign but the Lions have rebounded to now sit in outright second place with four games to go.
The double chance and a home qualifying final is now within sight, but Fagan’s side has had to do it the hard way in 2024.
That perilous path could hold them in good stead come September, when the true test of a team’s depth is routinely tested.
Fagan left People First Stadium not only with four premiership points in pocket, but safe in the knowledge he has an extra magnet to move into defence should the Lions need it when the whips are cracking.
Originally published as AFL news 2024: Eric Hipwood’s move to defence another string in Lions’ bow in flag hunt
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