What is it with Western Bulldogs’ debutants this year and car troubles?

Back in May, ruckman Tim English revealed to westernbulldogs.com.au post-match that he’d been in a minor car accident on his way to the game and had to catch a ride in an Uber.

So what are the chances that 19-year-old Patrick Lipinski would have a similar story to tell ahead of game number one.

Pretty good as it turns out, but like English, Lipinski was as composed off the field as he was on it when potential disaster struck.

“Today I just had a sleep in and then I turned on my car and my car battery wasn’t on, it wasn’t working, so I had to get that replaced,” he revealed post-match.

“So that filled in a few hours and calmed me down a bit, it wasn’t too bad.”

But as a life-long Bulldogs fan named to play his first senior game alongside retiring club greats Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy, nothing was going to spoil his day.

“It’s definitely a special thing to be able to say in 20 years’ time that I played in Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy’s last game,” said Lipinski. 

“I’ve really looked up to them this year at the club, they’re such great leaders and great people off the field.”

Lipinski got his hands on the footy early and ended his night with 18 disposals, a solid first outing for the Eltham product.

Unsurprisingly it was Boyd and Murphy guiding the newest pup pre-game.

“[During] the warm up, Bob and Keith were saying ‘don’t be afraid to smile, absorb it, cherish it’, [and] once I got on I got an early touch so that made me feel alright.”

Lipinski was the 1000^th player to play for the Western Bulldogs Football Club.