Patrick Lipinski living the dream after joining childhood club Western Bulldogs

PATRICK Lipinski feels as if he’s won Tattslotto twice after watching his beloved Western Bulldogs win the premiership and two months later went from fan to player.

Dogs draftees Fergus Greene, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tim English, Lewis Young and Patrick Lipinski at the Kennel. Picture: Michael Klein

PATRICK Lipinski feels as if he’s won Tattslotto twice.

The teenager last month watched his beloved Western Bulldogs win an unforgettable, drought-breaking premiership at the MCG.

Two months later the 18-year-old went from fan to player, taken by the Bulldogs with pick 28 in Friday night’s national draft.

The Northern Knights midfielder was on Tuesday ­unveiled at the Whitten Oval, his head still spinning ­beside fellow draftees Tim English (pick 19), Lewis Young (49) and Fergus Greene (70).

“I was just so ecstatic. I just couldn’t believe it, to be honest,” Lipinski said.

“I didn’t have many expectations going into the draft. I was just hoping to get picked up and to go to the Doggies is an extra bonus.

“It (Grand Final) was amazing because when I was younger, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see a (premiership).”

Dogs draftees Fergus Greene, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Tim English, Lewis Young and Patrick Lipinski at the Kennel. Picture: Michael Klein

Lipinski’s selection in the second round of the draft came earlier than expected after he missed a chunk of the TAC Cup season with a ­broken hand.

But a move from the forward line to the midfield, followed by a 30-possession, seven-tackle and six-clearance game in June, stayed with the Dogs.

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They took mobile 205cm West Australian English with their first selection (19), before former basketballer Young and Greene were taken.

Greene’s 15.6 beep test at the RookieMe Combine was the best recorded in any combine test this year.

English was one of the more intriguing selections of the draft, such is the reluctance of clubs to use first-round picks on ruckmen.

Ruckman Tim English was picked up by the Bulldogs with their first pick in the draft. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

But English’s around-the-ground skill set and desire to hunt the ball below his knees satisfied one of the harshest of ruck judges, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge.

“He likes mobile ruckmen and it’s a huge honour ... that the (club’s) list management have the faith in me to be able to play that role,” English said.

“At South Fremantle, that was my role, so hopefully that will be similar to here.

“Mobility is probably one of my strengths, so maybe I’m not (a traditional ruckman).”

At 92kg, English needs to add weight, but his mobility has drawn comparisons to West Coast legend Dean Cox.

“I can’t really control what people’s opinions are ... I’d be stoked if I could be half as good as Dean Cox,” he said.