The career path of Geelong star Tom Hawkins has inspired GIANTS forward Jonathon Patton to keep the faith that the best footy of his career is just around the corner.
Hawkins is one of the competition's best power forwards, but he took time to prove himself on a consistent basis, his strong 2011 finals series in his fifth season the catalyst behind his now outstanding career.
Patton, who this week plays his 50th senior games against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, has battled three major knee surgeries in his five seasons in the AFL, but when comparing the numbers, the GIANT stacks up pretty well against the big Cat.
Hawkins booted 66 goals from his first 49 games with a season high 34 goals in 2009, while at the same stage of his career, Patton has 56 goals, with a 25-goal haul in 2014 his best effort so far.
The Geelong forward had 19 possessions, took nine marks and kicked three vital goals in the Cats' 2011 premiership win over Collingwood, and blossomed from then on, booting 265 goals in 104 games at 2.5 per game since the Grand Final.
Patton said Hawkins' progression in the AFL is something he's kept a close eye on.
"Tom (Hawkins) had an amazing finals series that year, especially the Grand Final," he said.
"I think young key forwards can look at something like that and know that it's not always about you not being good enough, it's just about being patient sometimes.
"All key forwards take longer to develop and obviously I've had some injuries that have hindered that and I haven't been out there to play.
"I'm playing a bit of catch up and I'm getting there, but still have a lot of things to improve on."
Both men have openly spoken about conquering the mental side of the game this season – Hawkins due to his form slump and Patton due to his painful time in the rehabilitation room – and the GIANTS forward said now that he's over his knee issues, he's finally enjoying his football in 2016.
"Footy is a confidence game and whatever field you're in you have to have confidence," he said.
"That just comes with games, training and having a pre-season.
"I'm feeling great out there, I'm just thinking about my role and nothing else, and it's good to be back in that state of mind."
Saturday's game against the Suns will be Patton's 18th appearance for the year, equaling his career-high effort in 2014, the same year he tore the ACL in his right knee for the second straight season.
Working his way back from patella tendon surgery and two knee reconstructions, the No.1 pick in the 2011 NAB AFL draft could often be seen slogging it out away from the main group doing sprints with GIANTS fitness guru David Joyce and assistant coaches like Luke Power, Lenny Hayes and Dean Brogan.
Patton explained that he still likes to go through his running program, just because he can.
"I like to get a bit of extra work in on a Wednesday and get my speed going," he laughed.
"Sometimes you don't want to do it but you've got too, you always look for those little things that you can do to help you on game day.
"In the past my body wouldn't feel up to it, at the moment my body is feeling really good.
"I've just got to make sure I beat the coaches when they're out there with me otherwise I'll cop too much flak from them."
