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DRAFTEE Patrick Lipinski is pinching himself after realising two life-long ambitions in the space of two months.
The 18-year-old grew up in Melbourne's eastern suburbs dreaming of a Western Bulldogs flag and becoming an AFL player, and he can now proudly say he's achieved both.
The midfielder was one of 99,981 people who witnessed the Dogs beat Sydney to claim their first premiership since 1954, and his year to remember was capped off when the club he loves called out his name at with pick No.28 in Friday night's NAB AFL Draft.
"I was just so ecstatic, I just couldn't believe (I was selected by the Bulldogs) to be honest," Lipinski said on Tuesday.
"I didn't have many expectations going into the draft, I was just hoping to get picked up.
"It was amazing (Grand Final day) because when I was younger I wasn't sure I'd ever see a (premiership).
"It's a dream come true."
The Northern Knights product was a surprise second-round selection as many draft experts had him slated for a later pick after a broken hand saw him miss a chunk of the TAC Cup season.
However, impressive form up forward at the start of the year and several eye-catching games in the midfield later in the season saw him earn an invitation to the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
A post-season visit to the family home by the Dogs' recruiting team was "pretty special", but Lipinski didn't get his hopes up of a career at the club he loves.
"I did enough (throughout the year) to get selected and show I was a versatile player, (but) I was hoping (the injuries) wouldn't affect (my draft chances) too much," he said.
"I had spoken to (the Dogs) so I knew it was a possibility, but I didn't actually think it could happen.
"But it has and I couldn't be happier."
Lipinski's transition to Whitten Oval will be made easier by a relationship with superstar Marcus Bontempelli.
The pair hail from the same junior football club Eltham, and the families have crossed paths through their sporting pursuits.
While at 186cm, he's not proclaiming to be the next tall midfielder to take the AFL by storm, but previous coaches have asked him to study Bontempelli and Carlton's Patrick Cripps.
"I'm not the player they are, but I just try to take a few tips of what they do and try and implement them into my game," he said.
