Lipinski relishing fresh gig with Pies
PATRICK Lipinski knew his life got a whole lot tougher when Collingwood star Adam Treloar walked into the Whitten Oval.
The odds of the aspiring young Bulldogs midfielder securing a regular spot dramatically blew out as he digested the recruitment of Treloar and Josh Dunkley staying put.
Twelve months later Collingwood has finally got something out of the Treloar deal in the form of Lipinski, who has chosen a “fresh start” at the Holden Centre after his concerns about playing time in 2021 came to fruition.
The 23-year-old was limited to 11 games for the Dogs this season, taking his career tally to 56 games over five seasons.
“It all happened in the last few minutes (of last year’s trade period) with Treloar coming I knew it would probably be tough to get a spot in the midfield,” Lipinski said.
“Those two guys are just great players and it was amazing to get them, one to stay with Dunks and to get Treloar coming as well, it was awesome for the team so I was pretty happy.
“Obviously from a personal standpoint I knew it would be harder to get a spot as an inside midfield, it didn’t change my mindset on trying to work hard and get a spot in the team wherever that was
“Then it was pretty clear that the midfield group at the Dogs is probably the best in the league, plenty of All-australian-type players, it was very deep in there. I got to play midfield in the VFL and played pretty well but obviously wasn’t getting a game.
“I really enjoy playing on the wing but it wasn‘t to be. I wasn’t getting a game, that is
just how it went and it has led me to this opportunity which is really exciting.”
Lipinski was offered a three-year contract extension with the Dogs but rejected that to sign a similar deal with the Magpies.
The sweeping changes at Collingwood attracted Lipinski who spent an hour with new coach Craig Mccrae on Monday after a trade for draft selection No.43 was finalised on Monday.
“He (Mccrae) was really chilled and a caring guy, he has got a great footy mind from what I picked up in that hour,” Lipinski said.
“I think it is a really exciting time to come to Collingwood, it is a fresh start for everyone, it‘s a new coaching staff and plenty of young players.
“There is the opportunity for me to play a bit more AFL, play midfield and forward which is what I really wanted to do.
“I just felt like it was the right time to take my career into my own hands and try something new.”
Lipinski said there was no bad blood from the Dogs.
And one of the first people to send a message once the deal went through?
Adam Treloar.
“He sent me a nice text message saying hopefully I’m going to kill it and stuff,” Lipinski said.