Port Adelaide backman Tom Clurey is forecasting a torrid time for Brisbane spark Eric Hipwood in Sunday’s high-stakes AFL encounter.
Clurey says the Power are moving on swiftly from Saturday’s 57-point hammering of Adelaide, with the Lions and Hipwood next in their sights.
Hipwood booted six goals in Brisbane’s round three win against the Power and Clurey will volunteer for the task of silencing him.
The Port defender has had just two goals kicked on him in the past month but said the tall Lion presents fresh problems.
“He probably showed us up a little bit last time so we’ll be looking to get that done,” Clurey told reporters on Monday.
“He’s definitely one that we need to keep under wraps.
“He’s just such a good athlete and when you give him a run and jump at the ball … he’s hard to stop.
“(Hipwood is) 200cm and he can jump like anyone else in the comp. We’ll need to be physical on him.”
Port rose to seventh on the ladder with their second-half slaughter of the Crows, while the Lions are fourth, two wins ahead.
Clurey said Port’s recent wins over Adelaide and Geelong convinced him the Power can topple the best sides.
“We were happy with the performance Saturday night obviously, but now we’re already looking forward to next week,” he said.
“We know we have got to rock up ready to go and bring that same four-quarter effort because obviously Brissy are rolling at the moment.
“We know that we’re a good team and can beat anyone, and we have shown that over the last tree weeks.
“Just that consistency in our effort, I know everyone is always trying out there but sometimes it just doesn’t go to plan.
“If everyone on every line is doing their job … we’re hard to stop.”