A bulked-up Eric Hipwood will return from his second long lay-off noticeably stronger as the Brisbane Lions add the strings to their bow needed to sustain their push for a third-straight premiership.
The Lions forward has spent nine months rehabilitating post knee surgery after Hipwood discovered a partial tear in his surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament while recovering from a separate calf injury.
The 28-year-old will return this weekend, either at AFL or VFL level - Brisbane play Richmond in Hobart on Sunday - after they ended a three-game losing streak with a vital win over Gold Coast on Saturday.
"I've seen great energy, awesome intent," Lions co-captain Harris Andrews said of Hipwood.
"He's alot stronger than what he was. He's a strong guy at the best of times but he's put on good size."
In Hipwood's absence Ty Gallop has impressed at both ends of the field, while West Coast recruit Oscar Allen had found form alongside Logan Morris in the forward line before succumbing to a long-term foot injury.
Andrews said Hipwood's strengths would complement a Brisbane team that were able to beat the Suns in a less traditional manner, when they placed less reliance on possession and uncontested possessions.
"His best footy's right up there ... he's so reliable and connects the play well when we move it," Andrews said.
"Gets up to the wings, you look up and see him there producing a great contest and it enables others to play a bit closer to goal."
If he plays it will be Hipwood's 200th AFL game, while two-time premiership skipper and three-time All-Australian Andrews will notch his 250th.
"I haven't thought about it too much, the last couple of weeks have just been about our team performance," Andrews said.
"But to get to 250 games, I'm pretty proud of it.
"Early days, you try and make a name for yourself but get to a point where team performance is everything.
"I don't think people are going to be celebrating my All-Australians with me in 20 years time, well be catching up as premiership teammates."
