How else can you explain that news of a dual best and fairest winner asking to be traded to a rival despite having a year to run on a contract created barely a ripple of interest south of Albury. Imagine Daniel Wells wanting out of North Melbourne. Or Matt Priddis telling the Eagles he was flying the nest in the twilight of his career.
Perhaps the unassuming way in which Patfull approaches the game played its part but the reality is the Lions' significant loss is the GIANTS' big gain heading into the club's fourth AFL season. For Patfull, the move was little to do with football, but about lifestyle, change and challenge.
"Not many people stay in the one job for 10 years without getting a little comfortable and stale. Maybe that's what happened to me," he said.
"I feel like it's been a really refreshing change and something that I'm excited about.
"It's another chapter in my footy and for my personal development. I think it will be the best thing."
The reliable defender - who played 182 games for the Lions and won the 2012-13 best and fairest awards - says he will miss little other than friend made at Brisbane, including Daniel Merrett, Matt Maguire and Jack Redden, and believes GWS and his former club begin 2015 similarly placed.
"Realistically I think both clubs are in similar positions," he said.
"GWS won six games last year and Brisbane won seven so both teams will be pushing for finals next year and I can't see any reason why GWS can't play its first final in 2015.
"I wouldn't come here if I thought finals weren't achievable."
Only two of Patfull's 182 games have been finals.
Having recently turned 30, he plans on playing beyond the current two-year deal signed at the GIANTS and says what he's seen so far has exceeded his expectations.
"To be honest it's more than I expected in terms of facilities, which are amazing, and even stuff like the oval we train on and the way the program has been run has impressed me," he said.
"The other thing has just been the standard of training because you couldn't question it and I didn't really know what to expect in that area given the number of young guys."
Naming Devon Smith, Adam Treloar and skipper Callan Ward as the pre-season warriors, Patfull added that it was "a bit of a worry" to join a club where he knew more of the coaches than he did the players. Former Lions Luke Power and Amon Buchanan are working at GWS while former Power teammates Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes are also on the coaching staff.
Patfull will be the only 30-year-old on the GIANTS' list and will be the third behind only Heath Shaw (191) and Ryan Griffen (202) in games played.
It's a scenario that has the durable defender excited again after struggling at times to get through last season despite finishing third in the best and fairest.
"Guys moving for reasons like mine will become ore common in the AFL, particularly with older players as they look to settle in certain cities," he said.
"I've made it to GWS, now I've for to make the most of it."
