AN EXTRA eight kilograms of muscle has helped Eric Hipwood play some of the best football of his career since returning from a second knee reconstruction in June.

Hipwood played his first game of 2026 in round 14 against Richmond, and in the subsequent 12 matches has been a forward line force for the two-time premiers, throwing his body around like never before to create contests and havoc inside 50.

The 29-year-old has never been a big winner of the footy, more a cog in the Lions' wheel connecting the midfield to the forward line, but his presence has jumped out with the extra size.

"I'm just fit and healthy, that's the main thing," Hipwood told AFL.com.au in Brisbane's dressingroom following last Saturday's semi-final thumping of Adelaide.

"When you're fit and healthy, you're a different player. I feel like I'm covering the ground well."

Based on Champion Data's Player Ratings system, it's the third-best stretch of games in his 211-game career, following a standout run in the back half of 2024 and an equally good patch late in 2019.

To assess Hipwood's value, you must watch closely.

In the opening 20 seconds against the Crows, he got the ball to ground in a marking contest, followed up with a bump to dislodge it from Josh Worrell and then fired out a quick handball into space that ultimately led to a Kai Lohmann goal.

When Will Ashcroft kicked the ball inside 50 towards Cam Rayner from the next centre clearance, it was Hipwood who laid the perfect shepherd on Dan Curtin to create space for Charlie Cameron to swoop on the groundball for another goal.

Hipwood had one handball on the stats sheet, but a major impact on two early goals.

"Everyone looks at the stats sheet. We look at efficiency going inside 50 and the genuine one-on-ones we can get," he said.

"As long as we're not flying against each other, that's what we really value."

Hipwood, Logan Morris and Oscar Allen have played just five matches together as a trio of tall forward targets, with the Lions averaging 122 points in those games.

The trio have combined for 40 goals.

Since Hipwood returned mid-season, the already-efficient Lions have become even moreso.

They have gone from second in the AFL for scores per inside 50 to first and moved up from sixth for goals per inside 50 to first.

Coach Chris Fagan has always been a huge supporter of the often-maligned left-footer and said it warmed his heart to hear the Gabba crowd chanting Hipwood's name last week.

"I loved that," Fagan said.

"He's copped a fair bit of flak over the years from our supporters and from opposition supporters and I thought that was a real sign that in the eyes of everyone he's turned the corner as a player, and they now trust him and respect him.

"I did talk about that moment in our team meeting on Monday and said how good I thought that was.

"It hasn't been easy for him. He's copped a fair bit of stick online, criticism about the way he plays the game.

"I think he's felt it, there's no doubt about that. We've had little chats about it.

"A few years ago, he got off social media … the armchair warriors out there, the courageous people that hide in dark places and make comments. He's matured and probably doesn't listen to that much more.

"It was great to hear the crowd chanting his name."