Player Watch Patrick Lipinski

[Jen2310]

For the life of me don’t understand how people thought we were being ripped off for paying pick 43 for him.. instead of holding firm and walking him to the PSD

You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

A very solid addition. Lipinski will play 100-150 games for the club.

That pick is looking like a bag of chips. Was in turn used for points in the end for Darcy.
I think we'll look back at this trade and what a robbery it was.

A clean slate. It’s what Patrick Lipinski wanted, and what he has now.
It’s been a long wait. When you weren’t playing in the AFL late last season, you weren’t playing in the VFL either thanks to the pandemic.

Not since a match for Footscray on July 11 last year has Lipinski played a competitive game of footy. It’s why Collingwood’s date with Hawthorn in Morwell on Friday is – while only a practice match – long-awaited for the 23-year-old midfielder.

But the coaching panel also seemed to focus at times on what Lipinski didn’t seem to do as well, like applying pressure on the wing, as opposed to what he clearly does well: winning the ball on the inside and distribute cleanly.

He still has plenty of mates at the club, and the prevailing view from within was that it was time for him to get out. Not that you will catch Lipinski potting his old mob. “An absolute gentleman” and “wouldn’t say a bad word about anyone” are a couple of the assessments of Lipinski’s character from those who have worked closely with him in the past.

“You always want to have a linear career, and it probably didn’t go that way for me,” Lipinski says. “It would have been cool to succeed at the Bulldogs. But it didn’t impact my decision that I grew up as a Bulldog. It was more challenging leaving your friends rather than saying, ‘I grew up going for them’.

“It was pretty early in the season [that I thought I might need to leave]. The writing was on the wall a little bit.

“I felt like [my] negatives outweighed the strengths. That’s what it felt like.

“I feel like the decision was made for me. I think everyone understood, the midfield at the Bulldogs is very strong and wasn’t going anywhere. I felt like the best decision for me would be to try something new and if that doesn’t work out I’m glad I’ve taken the leap anyway.”

Lipinski, a business student away from football, had other suitors. But in his words, moving to the Pies was a “perfect match.”

“They just said that they really wanted me and I was probably their priority to get in the trade period, so that really spoke to me,” he says.

“And I really loved that the whole club is kind of resetting. I’d be coming in as a new player, but the whole group would be learning something new, so it didn’t feel like the transition would be as challenging, coming into something that was already ready-made.”


And after years of being shunted to wings and flanks, he has a chance to properly take centre stage.

“I’ll probably play mainly in the midfield, a more attacking midfielder, probably go forward a little bit and be around the stoppage a lot. My role is to play inside and be combative as a midfielder, but one of my strengths is probably my run, so I will try spread both ways, both offensively and defensively, and then a little bit forward as well.

“I definitely think my best footy is as a midfielder who goes forward a little bit. I haven’t had too many opportunities to play there throughout my career, but when I have I feel like I’ve played pretty well.

“That’s probably my favourite position to play, and I feel like it uses my strengths the best.”
Brendon Bolton and Scott Selwood are guiding the remodelled midfield, with Bolton’s attention to detail complemented by Selwood’s hands-on work with players.

That includes improving the synergy between the on-ballers and ruckman Brodie Grundy, who have too often not been in sync.

Few juniors can ever have been the subject of the hype centred around Nick Daicos, and Lipinski speaks from first-hand experience about the father-son recruit’s special traits.

“Nick and I, we always kick together before every training. The kicks he can do already is just insane,” Lipinski says.

The promise is there. But Collingwood are not delusional. There will be bumps along the journey. There already have been. But in McRae they have a leader likely to maintain equilibrium.

“He’s just a really personable coach who wants to get to know his players really well,” Lipinski says.

“He’s got that relationship-first kind of mindset, which is great.

“He’s a very calm coach, he’s got a clear understanding of how we want to play and he’s really there to help educate everyone.”


“I’ve been the beneficiary of a few of his lovely taps over the pre-season, so it’s been fun, just building a connection with him. And obviously he’s a great fella,” Lipinski says.

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[Bulldogs85]

It’s great that he is doing well at the pies he was always a talented player

 

[Vicky Park]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

 

[Chrispiesssss]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

He’s had his fair share of bad luck. Global financial crisis, pandemic and a possible world war. Just imagine how good he would look if he wasn’t stressing about the above!?

 

[jonbe54]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

VP I hear ya!

But despite the pretty boy thing he seems a player, who knows about his level but he will certainly blossom given increased opportunities and a more appreciative coaching group.

It's just a question of how high his ceiling is.

 

[Vicky Park]

He’s had his fair share of bad luck. Global financial crisis, pandemic and a possible world war. Just imagine how good he would look if he wasn’t stressing about the above!?

True. Ridiculous levels of good looking. A terrible outcome!

 

[stormskye]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

I don’t think you were complaining about Jamie yesterday

 

[Vicky Park]

I don’t think you were complaining about Jamie yesterday

Please don’t highlight the inconsistencies.

 

[Pistol Night]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

 

[Jen2310]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

Blame his parents for producing some attractive kids hahaha.

 

[gouki88]

Blame his parents for producing some attractive kids hahaha.

Surely his brother can play full forward

 

[Jen2310]

Surely his brother can play full forward

Has a basketball background..

 

[jonbe54]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

Every time I see a poster fraught with concern over a new recruit who couldn't get regular firsts games with his old club I'm reminded of two Collingwood players of the recent past.

Luke Ball - his old coach had no faith in him in their GF loss. . . . . . Became the beating heart of our midfield and the Premiership player he was born to be.

Nick Maxwell - as a junior and underage player he was maligned and ignored by Geelong - look at the captain he became for our club!

None of us are born heroes, we all have to grow into it.

All it takes is a little faith from those we care about.

 

[sr36]

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

I blame those hair threads that pressured our blokes into becoming a bunch of soft groomers.

 

[Vicky Park]

I blame those hair club threads that pressured our blokes into becoming a bunch of soft groomers.

You are absolutely right. The poster who started those should have been perma-banned.

 

[Angak]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

He plays like how he looks. Very pretty. Beautiful kick. Beautiful touch and quick hands in congestion.

When the play gets ugly, which it inevitably does in late game, big games and finals situations he typically struggles. Gets pushed off the ball too easily and can let tackles slip.

Not saying he can't improve on these deficiencies. He looks like he has put on 5kgs in the off season which I'm sure will help.

 

[Jen2310]

He plays like how he looks. Very pretty. Beautiful kick. Beautiful touch and quick hands in congestion.

When the play gets ugly, which it inevitably does in late game, big games and finals situations he typically struggles. Gets pushed off the ball too easily and can let tackles slip.

Not saying he can't improve on these deficiencies. He looks like he has put on 5kgs in the off season which I'm sure will help.

FWIW he did a lot of work in the off season. Looks pretty strong and this pre-season there has been a big focus on strength, tackling and running and skills of course.
I'm not gonna judge him on the past, but rather what he can produce from this point on. Has been impressed to date, so lets see how he goes in games. He'll be playing the inside mid role, a bit of outside, very small amount forward but majority inside.

 

[TradeDraft]

FWIW he did a lot of work in the off season. Looks pretty strong and this pre-season there has been a big focus on strength, tackling and running and skills of course.
I'm not gonna judge him on the past, but rather what he can produce from this point on. Has been impressed to date, so lets see how he goes in games. He'll be playing the inside mid role, a bit of outside, very small amount forward but majority inside.

and Lipinski is still young

 

[Angak]

FWIW he did a lot of work in the off season. Looks pretty strong and this pre-season there has been a big focus on strength, tackling and running and skills of course.
I'm not gonna judge him on the past, but rather what he can produce from this point on. Has been impressed to date, so lets see how he goes in games. He'll be playing the inside mid role, a bit of outside, very small amount forward but majority inside.

Definitely agree with this approach. Didn't mean to be negative. Just highlighting his strengths and weakness @ Dogs.

 

[Jen2310]

Definitely agree with this approach. Didn't mean to be negative. Just highlighting his strengths and weakness @ Dogs.

Its all good. I figured what's what you meant. I noticed that he came out in an interview and said the coaches at the dogs focused more what he wasn't doing rather than what he was actually doing right.

 

[Jen2310]

and Lipinski is still young

Of course he is.. He hasnt played a full season of afl, so we don't know what his ceiling is.. Think this year we'll get some fair idea.

 

[Anzacday]

You are absolutely right. The poster who started those should have been perma-banned.

We can look into and “introduce some retrospective legislation” if you like?

 

[TradeDraft]

 

[neilk]

Every time I see a poster fraught with concern over a new recruit who couldn't get regular firsts games with his old club I'm reminded of two Collingwood players of the recent past.

Luke Ball - his old coach had no faith in him in their GF loss. . . . . . Became the beating heart of our midfield and the Premiership player he was born to be.

Nick Maxwell - as a junior and underage player he was maligned and ignored by Geelong - look at the captain he became for our club!

None of us are born heroes, we all have to grow into it.

All it takes is a little faith from those we care about.

Jack Crisp?

 

[VinnieB]

I’m very slowly coming around to thinking he might be ok. But am still waiting for the ‘real’ footy to begin.

I can’t shake the fact that he struggled for games at the Dogs, although I know the reasons why.

Plus, there’s still the issue of the ‘pretty boy’ aesthetic. Why can’t our players look like they did in the 1920s and 30s? Maynard gets it. Rough heads and no mirrors! Hard times bred hard players. None of these carefully curated good looks.

You must be shocked Mayne didn't win a few Brownlows or at least Copelands.