The blows keep coming for the Western Bulldogs with young midfielder Patrick Lipinski officially requesting a trade to Collingwood ahead of the AFL trade period.
Despite the Bulldogs tabling a three-year contract extension, the 23-year-old is seeking a move away after falling down the pecking order in a stacked midfield.
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Lipinski seemed poised to take his game to the next level when he averaged a career-best 21.9 disposals per game in 14 appearances in 2019, but has managed just 22 combined games over the last two seasons.
His playing time dwindled even further in 2021 with the addition of ex-Collingwood midfielder Adam Treloar and the continued improvement from young gun Bailey Smith.
The Bulldogs confirmed Lipinski’s trade request in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“The Western Bulldogs have been informed by the management of Patrick Lipinski of his request to be traded to the Collingwood Football Club,” the statement read.
“The club’s preference is to retain Pat as a Bulldogs player into the future, and it tabled a three-year contract extension earlier this season as a show of faith in the talented 23-year-old.
“The club will enter discussions with Collingwood during the Trade Period to work through the possibility of a suitable trade arrangement.”