Patrick Lipinski is seeking a fresh start at Collingwood after rejecting a three-year contract offer from the Western Bulldogs.
The 23-year-old requested a trade to the Magpies due to being on the fringes at the Bulldogs, making just 11 senior appearances in 2021.
AFL player manager Nick Gieschen, who represents Lipinski from Connors Sports Management, thinks a move to Collingwood is a “good fit” for his client.
“Collingwood have some really good senior, mature players like (Scott) Pendlebury, (Steele) Sidebottom, (Taylor) Adams and then they’ve got some great youth coming through,” Nick Gieschen told AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Exchange.
“The Pies identified Pat as a player that could bridge that gap a little bit, who’s ready to go, he’s got some experience under his belt.
“They see him as a player who’s suited to playing on the MCG with his running ability and he’s quite versatile too.
“Pat sees it as a really good fit and hopefully we can get it done.”
Gieschen shed further light on why Lipinski wants out of his boyhood club.
“Pat’s really happy at the Dogs. He’s got great mates there and as a kid he grew up barracking for the Bulldogs, so it’s been a really hard decision for him,” he said.
“Ideally, he wants more midfield opportunities. The Bulldogs are obviously so strong, they’ve got such a great midfield.
“He’s five years into his career, he’s ready to go, he’s played some really good footy at the lower level, but he’s also played some really good footy at AFL level when opportunities have presented.
“We gave it as much time as we needed to, it wasn’t something that we decided on halfway through the year, he legitimately gave it every opportunity.
“The fact that he hasn’t played for such a long time and the guarantee of some more midfield minutes is why he’s requested to leave.”
Since being selected with pick No.28 in the 2016 draft, Lipinski has played 56 AFL games.