Former Crows forward Josh Jenkins has outlined the change he wants to see from Eric Hipwood to have a bigger impact on the game.
Hipwood has struggled to start the season, kicking just four goals as the Lions have limped out of the gates, losing their first three games in their worst start since 2018.
The Brisbane forward is coming off the back of a career-best 41-goal campaign, however Jenkins believes performances like Thursday’s goalless outing indicate Hipwood has stagnated.
“I’m a big fan of his game but he probably has just stagnated a little bit,” Jenkins said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“He’s a fantastic athlete of course and that’s obvious but I don’t know how he can go about getting involved in a game unless it’s an athletics contest and that’s a tough way to go about it.
“He’s often quicker than his opponent and he’s often more athletic and I think that plays on his mind a little bit too much, he’s got to find some ways to get involved in the game that don’t rely on running and sprinting.”
Considering Hipwood’s agility and lighter build, Jenkins believes the Lion would be better served higher up the ground rather than spending so much time deep in the forward line.
“You can’t expect him to turn into a rampaging forward like Tom Hawkins, a physical beast like Tom Hawkins overnight, or at all considering his frame, but he can be more crafty,” he said.
“He can be a little bit more subtle and slick with his movements, get in behind and then hit up.
“He’s definitely got the capability of being one of those higher running forwards who can get involved in the game early.”
Jenkins pointed directly to Harry McKay’s resurgence at Carlton as the blueprint that Hipwood should replicate.
“Eric probably is focused on taking marks inside 50 and taking shots at goal but maybe he needs to think about getting involved up the ground earlier, like Harry McKay has to an extent,” Jenkins said.
“I know Harry is reliant on his contested mark more so but Harry’s game has improved this year because he’s been willing to come up the ground whether it be in the ruck or as a forward and get involved.
“You build your confidence, you get the ball a few times early in the game and you’ve got confidence versus waiting and waiting and waiting and then beginning to start to hope that you’re going to be involved.
“I think Hipwood is probably hoping he’s going to be involved rather than making it happen.”
Hipwood and the Lions will have a perfect opportunity to get their season back on track next week, taking on North Melbourne in Gather Round.