Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett believes young Brisbane forward, Eric Hipwood, is ready to take the competition by storm over the next few years
Hipwood, 19, played 10 games in his debut season in 2016, kicking 11 goals, but Bartlett says he can already see that he has the skill set to become one of premier forwards in the game.
โI think Eric Hipwood, let me make a bold statement here, I think he might just turn out to be the best young key forward in the game in a couple of yearsโ time,โย Bartlett said on SEN on Friday morning.
โI saw him play his first game for Brisbane, I think he kicked one or two goals in his first game, heโs about six foot seven, heโs a left footer, heโs a beautiful kick."
KB said with a few extra weights sessions in the gym, Hipwood can add some serious strength to his already impressive movement in the forward line.
โHeโs still skinny, but it looks like heโs put on a bit of weight from last year, but last year he was one of those players who was very good below his knees for a kid his size, heโs very agile," he said.
โI love that he attacks the ball in the air, he just absolutely launches himself in the air, and I reckon thereโs going to be a red bullet next to his name.
โEric Hipwood one day is going to be a star in the AFL, an absolute star.โ
Hipwood kicked one goal, took two marks and finished with seven disposals in the Lions' eight point win over the Western Bulldogs in their second JLT Community Series match at Etihad Stadium last night.
