To GIANTS fans and the AFL world,
First, I want to thank everyone for their well wishes. The support I have received over the past few days from other AFL players, coaches and, of course, the unbelievable GIANTS supporters has been overwhelming.
There's no doubt this is a very challenging and confronting time in my life. I'm three years into my career and have had more injuries than most people have endured for their whole career. There is nothing I can do about any of this. I can't rewind the past or think about what could've been.
When I first heard the news about my knee I couldn’t stop crying for 20 minutes. But with the support of GIANTS Welfare Manager Craig Lambert, my manager Paul Connors, my brother Chris and mum Belinda, I quickly realized that life goes on and I had to deal with what has been thrown at me.
Not to mention my best friend and teammate Stephen Coniglio who was about to board a flight to Sydney and instead caught a cab to my house to spend the night and be there for me.
I have been through this rehab before so I know what is in front of me. It's going to be a tough, long road but I guarantee everyone that I will be back. I’m not sure when but I will be back and I will show everyone what persistence and hard work can lead to.
I could not ask for a better club to be a part of as I go through this. From our CEO Dave Matthews, who has always been amazing to me, to our General Manager of Football Graeme Allan, who has never doubted me as a person or player.
Then there are my teammates who have been incredibly supportive. The worst thing about this whole process is not being able to train and play with all my best mates for a long time.
I now need to move on and deal with this situation. After all, this is only a 9-10 month rehab. There are people out there fighting for their lives and going through a lot tougher things than I am.
I will get my surgery done early next week and recover to the best of my ability to make sure I am there with my teammates for the next 10 years.
Once again thank you everyone!!
Jonny Patton
