In his fourth season of AFL, Eric Hipwood further established himself as a genuine threat in the Lions forward line, capable of scoring multiple goals in quick succession and causing big headaches for opposing backline players and coaches.

The 203cm key forward played 23 games in 2019, averaging a career-high 4.7 marks per game and kicked 35 goals, including a career-best six-goal-haul against Port Adelaide in Round 3 and five goals against the Demons in Round 15. He also kicked a valuable three goals in the Lions’ narrow loss to the Giants in the Semi Final.

The 22-year-old finished eighth overall in total marks inside 50 for 2019 with a total of 47. Typifying a team-first mentality, Hipwood’s forward pressure and tackles per game also significantly improved from previous seasons. This improvement and consistency were rewarded with a four-year contract extension.

The young gun put pen to paper towards the end of the 2019 season, committing to the Lions until at least the end of 2023.

“To have that little taste now is exciting and something I want to be part of,” Hipwood said during his contract extension press conference.

“Coming into the club each day, it’s exciting to watch everyone push each other and strive for constant improvement,” he said.

Hipwood polled six votes in the 2019 Brownlow Medal, equalling his career best and finishing fifth out of Brisbane Lions players. He was voted Best on Ground in the Lions win over Port Adelaide in Round 3, and for his performance against the Demons in Round 15.

To cap off a fantastic year of personal achievements, Hipwood was selected in the AFLPA’s 22Under22 team at centre-half forward, his third straight year of selection.