Young Brisbane star Eric Hipwood has revealed how a letter he received from the Brisbane Lions academy at 13 years of age helped his AFL career become a reality.
Hipwood is averaging 11 disposals, four marks and just under two goals per game in 2018, and is part of the exciting young Brisbane core that has notched three straight wins.
Hipwood recounted the time he had to choose between sports at eight-years-old, and how he was ‘lucky’ to be picked up by Luke Curran and the Lions academy.
LISTEN to Saturday night's Brisbane v Adelaide clash LIVE on 1116 SEN from 7:20pm AEDT with Benny Jones and Brent Staker
“I started as an eight year old like any other kid and then I sort of faded out of the game,” Hipwood told SEN Mornings.
“Mum and dad made me choose between sports when I was 11-years-old, I ended up choosing rugby, soccer and I played cricket in the winter as well.
“I played a little bit of school footy and got picked up from the Lions academy, Luke Curran picked me up and I was pretty lucky to be picked up.
“Without the Lions academy, I probably wouldn’t be playing AFL at the moment.
“I was just playing school footy and making a few rep teams along the way but never really took it too seriously.
“I sort of just did it to get the Queensland gear and I was pretty happy with that.
“I think something came in the mail when I was 13-years-old and mum and dad were quick to tell me it was important and if I want to be able to play AFL, I’ve got to be able to pursue this.
“I just did it because I wanted to be part of the Lions academy.
“It is very special the Lions academy, it’s certainly done a fair bit for me in introducing the sport.”
Listen to Eric Hipwood's chat with Kane Cornes on SEN Mornings in the player below