Patrick Lipinski

AFL trade news: Bulldog tipped to request trade to Victorian rival

Has the 23-year-old played his final game for the Dogs?

Published by
Mitch Keating

Western Bulldogs midfielder Patrick Lipinski is believed to be eyeing an exit from Whitten Oval at season's end, with a trade request to either the Blues or Magpies looming, according to The Herald Sun.

The 23-year-old has played 56 games for the Bulldogs since making his debut in 2017, and has found minutes in Luke Beveridge's side hard to come by given their extensive list of star onballers.

Lipinski's position at the Kennel has gauged the interest of rival clubs, with Collingwood and Carlton both previously linked to the out-of-favour pup.

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Now, per News Corp's report, Lipinski looks to have played his final game for the Bulldogs, with a request to part ways with the club imminent.

A lifelong Dogs supporter, Lipinski's potential exit from the Western Bulldogs would likely see the Footscray club requesting draft capital in return as they look to pile picks to land highly-rated father-son prospect Sam Darcy.

The Magpies will have their "hands tied" with salary cap pressure once again this off-season, while the Blues' exchange period planning is unclear given their search for a new senior coach continues.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Patrick Lipinski of the Bulldogs (R) and Rhylee West of the Bulldogs react during a Western Bulldogs AFL training session at Whitten Oval on September 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Carlton are seen as the front-runners for wantaway Dockers midfielder Adam Cerra, who would likely cost a keen suitor more than a first-round selection on the trade table and close to $750,000-per-season.

Should negotiations fall through between the Blues and Cerra, Lipinski could be seen as a viable and cheap option to boost the club's midfield stocks.

Lipinski has played 11 games for the Bulldogs this season, with two of those appearances coming as an unused medical sub.

The out-of-contract Bulldog has failed to make the Bulldogs' extended bench for Saturday's semi-final against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Published by
Mitch Keating