Israel Folau’s departure left a void in the AFL’s western Sydney putsch, but for a fit-again Jonathon Patton it will provide more space and opportunity in the Giants’ forward line.
Patton was considered the brightest prospect in the 2011 draft, where he drew comparisons to Jonathan Brown and was taken with Greater Western Sydney’s inaugural No.1 selection.
But the talented teenager endured a torrid time in 2012.
Pre-season knee surgery in Sweden was followed by a stop-start campaign that never really got going.
The power forward’s maiden AFL season was then prematurely ended by the need for shoulder surgery in August.
But the burly Victorian, renowned for his contested marks, has looked the goods in his first pre-season at AFL level.
“Jon’s been really good. He’s been on the track pretty much every session,” GWS co-captain Callan Ward told AAP of his side’s 197cm, 100kg prized asset.
“The shoulder’s really good. He’s pulled up really well from that. He’s looking fit and strong, and he’s going to be great for us if he can stay fit.
“We’re all looking forward to playing with him as that big, tall target in the forward line – someone we can kick to.”
In the same way Ward and Tom Scully will control the Giants’ engine room for the foreseeable future, the fledgling club is hoping Patton and Jeremy Cameron form a long-term partnership in the forward line.
While Cameron was runner-up in last year’s Rising Star voting, AFL fans have only seen glimpses of Patton’s potential.
“He’s an extremely exciting prospect,” Ward said.
“Last year there was plenty of pressure on him. He was the number one draft pick.
“I don’t know if he felt the pressure, but there was obviously pressure in the media and I think this year he’s ready to burst onto the scene and play some really good games for us.”
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy was keen to see what Patton would produce in 2013.
“He’s obviously got better because he’s had a year in the (AFL) system. That’s important, especially for him because this time last year he was recovering from an operation in Europe,” Sheedy said.
“So he’ll only get better.”
