Eight kilograms of muscle transform Eric Hipwood's game
The 29-year-old has returned to his strongest form after gaining muscle and recovering from knee surgery in June.
Eric Hipwood returned to Brisbane's lineup in round 14 after a second knee reconstruction and has since played his best stretch of football in years. The Lions forward added eight kilograms of muscle during his recovery, and the extra size has changed how he plays.
In his past 12 matches, he has been a force in the forward line, creating contests and setting up goals despite not always winning the ball himself. Champion Data rates this as the third-best run of games in his 211-game career.
Since Hipwood's return, Brisbane has moved from second to first in the AFL for scores per inside 50 and moved up from sixth to first for goals per inside 50. Coach Chris Fagan has backed him throughout, and the Gabba crowd has now warmed to him too.
- 8 kilograms
- Muscle gained
- 12 matches
- Games since return
- 211
- Career games total
- 29 years old
- Age
Why it mattersHipwood's improved form bolsters Brisbane's chances of a third premiership.
AustraliaThe Lions are preparing for the AFL finals series with their forward line firing at top efficiency.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 d ago
