Eric Hipwood

Hipwood was born in Melbourne's inner suburb of St Kilda.^[2] His parents were passionate St Kilda Saints fans who had married in the stands of Moorabbin Oval prior to his birth.^[3] His grandfather, Ken, was instrumental in establishing the Aspley Football Club in Brisbane's northern suburbs and his father, Brad, was a former senior player for Aspley.^[4] His grandparents are also life members of the Aspley Football Club.^[5] At the age of three, Eric moved to his father's home state of Queensland and settled on the Sunshine Coast with his family where he began playing junior football for Kawana Park at the age of eight.^{[citation needed]}

At 13 years of age he was placed in the Brisbane Lions Academy^[6] and switched allegiances to the Caloundra Panthers. Two years later, at the age of 15, he played his first QFA senior match for Caloundra in their away clash against Aspley and kicked three goals on debut.^[7] In his final year of junior football he switched clubs again and played for Aspley in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL). Hipwood was selected to represent Queensland at the 2015 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named in the All Australian team for his performances.^[8] He was then invited to attend the AFL Draft Combine in November 2015.^[9]

Hipwood was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with their second selection and fourteenth overall in the 2015 national draft as an academy selection after Brisbane matched Richmond's bid on him.^[10] He made his AFL debut in the 49 point loss against West Coast at the Gabba in round 13 of the 2016 season.^[11] After the 32 point loss against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round five of the 2017 season, in which he recorded twelve disposals, five marks, four tackles and three goals, he was the round nominee for the AFL Rising Star.^[12]

Hipwood played all 22 matches of the 2018 season. With 37 goals, he was Brisbane's leading goalkicker for the year. In round 16, Hipwood kicked 6 goals in Brisbane's win against Carlton. Hipwood received three Brownlow Medal votes in both this game and the round 9 win against Hawthorn.^[13]

2019 saw Hipwood play 23 games including finals with 35 goals kicked for the year. He signed a contract extension, keeping him at Brisbane until at least the end of 2023.^[14]

In 2021, Hipwood ruptured his ACL in the round 17 match against St Kilda.^[15] He would go on to miss Brisbane's finals series, and only returned 10 months later for a 2022 match against Adelaide. After Hipwood led the Lions in goals during the 2022 finals series, he extended his contract with the club for six additional years, making the signature Brisbane's longest contract since Alastair Lynch in 1994.^[16]

Hipwood was suspended for one game during the round 10 clash against Richmond for a dangerous tackle against Nick Vlastuin. Vlastuin was also fined for striking back at Hipwood.^[17] The Lions forward returned from suspension and had a career-best game in round 13 against the Western Bulldogs, kicking a personal-best six goals.^[18] Hipwood was a part of the Brisbane's 2024 premiership winning team, kicking a goal in a 60 point victory over the Sydney Swans.^[19] His goal, a miraculous left-foot goal from the pocket, was celebrated with an imitation of club legend Jason Akermanis.^[20] Following the premiership, Hipwood revealed that he played the finals series through an injury.^[21]

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.^[22]

Notes

Team

• AFL premiership player: 2024

Individual

• Brisbane Lions leading goalkicker: 2018 (37)
• 3× 22under22 team: 2017, 2018, 2019
• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2017 (round 5)