Experienced Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood says he doesn't feel any extra pressure in 2025, despite Joe Daniher not lining up alongside him.
Following their premiership triumph that was largely due to the heroic efforts of Daniher, the question that lingered over the Lions was how they were going to replace the forward-ruck.
They welcomed former Sun Sam Day to the club to ease the load, whilst a spread of responsibility among the front half cohort was assumed as Chris Fagan eyed successive flags.
But any doubts have been swept away after an impressive five-goal haul from Hipwood against the Western Bulldogs at Gather Round, which was complemented by Logan Morris' four.
Add in the likes of Zac Bailey, Callum Ah Chee, Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann, and the Brisbane forward line is as dangerous as ever.
But due to injury to Lohmann and Cameron, they've had to source their scores from elsewhere.
"What we've been able to show in the first five rounds is we've got so many avenues to goal," Hipwood said.
"We've shown we can kick a lot of goals from a lot of different players.
"I can understand the narrative that people might want to push that there's an extra responsibility on me, but I don't think so; my role doesn't change too much."
The Lions currently sit fifth for points for in the competition (486), proving that they can cope without Daniher.
Morris' rise to stardom has drawn comparisons to Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt by his coach, which has helped fill the void up forward.
As for Hipwood, he has seemingly put his pre-season groin issues to bed after undergoing surgery in December.
The 27-year-old said he was still working back to full fitness, but has started to hit his straps.
"I was on a tight timeframe to get back, but that's still no excuse. I put my hand up to play and that means I'm fit, so I've got to fulfil my role," Hipwood said.
"I would have liked to have performed a little better (early in the season).
"I think I've been quite inconsistent. I've been a by-product of the team really. I feel like when I've played well, the team's played well."
As it stands, both Queensland clubs sit atop the AFL ladder, having yet to lose a game.
The Lions head into Easter Thursday's mouth-watering clash with Collingwood with five wins and zero losses, while Gold Coast, with still a game in hand, sit second with four victories.
Hipwood, who hails from the Sunshine Coast, is "proud" of the state's performance in the AFL, given its domination by NRL.
"Something I'm really proud of," Hipwood said.
"Someone from the Sunshine Coast, and when I first got drafted in 2015, footy wasn't relevant in Queensland. But to watch it grow, and receive help from our AFLW program, which has been so successful, it's pretty cool junior participation levels (rise)."
