THE Sunshine Coast's Eric Hipwood is one young gun the Brisbane Lion's won't have to worry about losing to home sickness.

Hipwood made history by becoming the first Coaster to be taken in round one of the AFL draft at pick 14 in November.

The 202cm key position utility said he won't become just another number.

"It was a very special moment for not only myself, but my friends, family and everyone who helped me along my pathway to be drafted by the Lions, I couldn't have asked for anything more," he said.

"It was a nervous moment (waiting for my name to be called), it was only 60 seconds, but it felt like 60 minutes.

"I have the luxury of going home over the week, it's the perfect situation for me and my family, so the 'go home factor' isn't an issue.

"And now we have some good welfare systems in place which has made a massive impact on the club."

Hipwood spent December meeting his new teammates before going on Christmas holidays, but the 18-year-old said he just wants to get back out on the track and prove his worth.

"You don't play footy to play in the seconds, I'm going to train my hardest and if I get a game that's fantastic, but it's more about earning the respect of the players," he said.

"It doesn't matter if you're pick one or 87, you're just like everyone else and you've got to work your heart out to prove yourself.

"We haven't done any time trials or anything like that yet, but just doing the normal training sessions are so much more intense.

"It's a lot to take in physically and mentally, but I've enjoyed every second of it so far.

"I just want to get back out there."

Hipwood's first port of call with his new teammates is a training bootcamp including community activities on the Coast starting on January 12.

He said he hopes to use his status to pioneer an influx of AFL interest on the Coast.

"It's good for the development of the Coast," he said.

"I hope they can get more kids wanting to play footy up here and all over Queensland because of what I do."