2017 was a big year for Patrick Lipinski.

As a supporter, watching his beloved Bulldogs get over the line against the Swans in 2016, Lipinski made his senior debut in the final round of 2017 and cemented his place in club history as the 1000th player. 

“It was a great feeling. As a young kid going for the Dogs’, I always wanted to play for them,” Lipinski told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“For that to come true was a great experience, but, also to play in Matthew Boyd’s and Bob Murphy’s last game it was a real honour to be part of that as my first game and their last.”

Restricted by injuries in the early part of the season, the classy 19-year-old impressed at VFL level shifting between midfield and forward roles before his debut in round 23.

Ahead of his second season in the AFL system, Lipinski is optimistic he can add to his career tally in 2018, buoyed by opportunity to get the best of out every game he plays.

“For everyone on the list, you want to be playing in the AFL side,” said Lipinski.

“Hopefully I’ll put in a good pre-season, play well in all the practice games and hopefully put my hand up for selection sometime in the season and take it with two hands if I do.”

Lipinski believes an ability to be flexible will allow him to play his best football.

“Playing a bit more wing is probably my predominate position, (but) also getting a bit of a chance to go inside the midfield a bit more as well as forward.

“It’s a pretty similar (role) but probably a bit more emphasis playing on the wing this year.”