Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has hailed Pat Lipinski’s match on Saturday night his best at AFL level.

Lipinski, who was dominant at VFL level for the first two months of 2019 before earning an AFL call-up, was influential in the nail-biting three-point win against Carlton.

In just his third AFL game for the season, and 21^st career game, Lipinski collected a career-high 29 disposals, with five clearances, five tackles, five inside-50s and two goals.

“We’re really pleased for Pat Lipinski tonight, we felt like he played his best game for the club and really broke out,” Beveridge said post-game.

“He was performing tremendously well.”

Lipinski’s early AFL opportunities had come predominantly as a forward and on the wing. 

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But when Beveridge called upon him in round 10, it was for a different role after developing as an inside midfielder at Footscray. 

With Tom Liberatore ruled out of the game by half-time due to a knee injury, the Bulldogs needed someone to step up around the contest – with Lipinski doing just that, alongside the likes of Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae.

“I played a fair bit (at AFL level) last year, so I was ready once I got my chance,” Lipinski said post-game, of his senior recall.

“I thought I could come in and play well.

“I had some good form in the VFL, and got to improve some things that I wouldn’t have had the chance to do in the AFL, so it’s really helped me and it’s good to be playing some good footy.”

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The 20-year-old has averaged 25 disposals at AFL level this season.

He said the win would hopefully set up the second half of the year for the Bulldogs.

“It was nervous times, but lucky we held on and got a great win,” Lipinski said.

“We really needed it to rejuvenate the group and get the second half of our season off to a great start, so everyone’s pretty happy.”