Patton was taken with first selection in the 2011 AFL draft.[1] Originally from Rowville, the 197 cm, 101 kg forward played for the Eastern Ranges in the 2011 TAC Cup season and was predicted to be the No 1 draft pick from early in the season. He was referred to by many as “The General”. He retired midway through the 2021 AFL season having played 95 games
Personal life
Patton played his junior football with St Simons Knights Football Club, based in Rowville, before joining the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup. He was a member of the AIS AFL Academy and was awarded best and fairest for the Eastern Ranges in 2010, going on to be named captain of the squad in 2011.
Patton was recruited to the AFL by Greater Western Sydney with the first overall selection in the 2011 AFL National Draft. Patton travelled to Stockholm, Sweden in early 2012 for treatment on a jumper's knee injury, and missed the first eleven rounds of the 2012 season.[5] Patton played his first AFL game on 16 June against Richmond, kicking one goal from seven disposals. In round 3, 2013, Patton's tenth career game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would see him miss the remainder of the 2013 season.[6] In round 21, 2014 after having a break out year Patton re-tore his ACL in the right knee and underwent a traditional knee reconstruction, which saw him miss 12 months.
After returning late in 2015 for three games the club chose to rest him for the remainder of the regular season so that he could benefit from an uninterrupted preparation for the following 2016 season. Patton had his most productive season to date with his contested marking a highlight. He kicked four goals in the preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs.
In 2017 the expectation that came with being number 1 draft pick began to be justified when he started to regularly win possessions and contests with his notable strength and marking skills. He had a career high 45 goals and 142 marks in his 22 games.
In 2018 Patton again injured his knee during a club training session requiring season ending surgery. He later tore his left ACL and missed the entire 2019 season. At the end of the 2019 season he requested a trade to Hawthorn,[7] and was traded on 15 October.[8]
In January 2021, Patton was stood down by Hawthorn for inappropriate behaviour after accusations were made that he inappropriately sent sexual images to several women over social media.[9]
Patton retired from football on 16 April 2021, citing mental health issues.[10]
^The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
