It’s no coincidence that the GIANTS’ best season came in the same year Jon Patton found his best form.
The forward played 23 consecutive games as he found his most consistent form and fitness after an injury interrupted start to his AFL career.
The 23-year-old said he’s happy to have put a consistent season together.
“It was good to get that continuity going again,” Patton said.
“I haven’t had that since I’ve been in the AFL so it’s good to get that going and the fact that we were winning games, it was pretty amazing to be out there after being out for so long.”
The power forward kicked 38 goals and was an integral cog in the GIANTS’ dangerous forward line alongside Jeremy Cameron, Steve Johnson, Toby Greene, Devon Smith and Rory Lobb.
“No one thought Lobby would have the season he did,” Patton said.
“He had a really good pre-season and you always saw the talent he had.
“Toby bobbing up and got All Australian after probably having one of the best seasons for a small forward.
“And obviously Stevie J’s come in and kicked over 40 goals and is almost like a coach out on the ground.”
Patton finished the season in the strongest way possible, recording career-high hauls of six goals against Fremantle in round 22 and five goals against the Kangaroos in round 23.
The 198-centimeter GIANTS’ contested marking came to the fore particularly later in the season.
“It’s something that comes with confidence,” Patton said.
“When you start doing it more, then you start to believe it throughout all the games.”
The 23-year-old was one of the GIANTS’ best in the Preliminary Final in front of a sell-out crowd at Spotless Stadium, kicking four goals and taking five marks in the six-point loss.
Patton said the way the GIANTS’ season ended will be a massive motivational factor for the club.
“It’s pretty cool to look back at where we’ve come from, not being in finals to being one kick away from a Grand Final,” he said.
“Everyone’s here for each other and it wasn’t by accident that we played in the Preliminary Final, we put a lot of hard work into it.
“We’re really looking forward to next season.”
