‘Fair bit of flack’: Ex-whipping boy’s 8kg AFL transformation after ‘heartbreaking’ setback

AFL ‘Fair bit of flack’: Ex-whipping boy’s 8kg AFL transformation after ‘heartbreaking’ setback Lions star snubs rivals for new deal | 01:23 Ben Waterworth from Fox Sports @bjwaterworth September 17th, 2026 12:26 pm A heartbreaking injury setback has turned into a significant blessing in disguise for Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood, whose body transformation has him primed to help the Lions’ push for a stunning three-peat.

Hipwood, a Lions academy graduate, played 50 of a possible 53 games across the Lions’ 2023 and 2024 campaigns, including the Grand Final loss to Collingwood and the premiership triumph over Sydney 12 months later.

He then featured in the first 22 Lions games of the 2025 season before suffering a calf injury.

And as Hipwood was recovering from his calf setback, he underwent scans on his left knee, which revealed a far worse injury.