Jonathon Patton Biography

Jonathan Patton announces his retirement at the age of 27 while apologizing for his recent inappropriate behaviour that made the news.

"I have made the difficult decision to retire from football to focus on my health, wellbeing, and future outside of the game. The constant battle to overcome injuries since I entered the AFL 10 years ago has been relentless and, on many occasions, overwhelming," Patton said in a statement.

Patton was stood down by the Hawks in January when accused by at least four women of sending sexually explicit photos and videos of himself via social media.

"Over the past few months, I have taken time to reflect on my mistakes. My actions were completely unacceptable and I am truly sorry for any distress I have caused I am committed to continuing to learn from my mistakes and actively make the necessary changes," he said.

Hawthorn has confirmed the AFL Integrity Unit is involved in the investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct on social media by Jonathon Patton.

"This is a difficult time for all involved and it is important our club ensures that Jonathon receives the support he requires during this period," Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said.

"We take this matter very seriously and our Integrity Committee is working in conjunction with the AFL's Integrity Unit to undertake the investigation into these complaints within the framework of the AFL's Respect and Responsibility Policy."

Jonathon Patton is admitted to hospital to assist with the management of his mental health after being stood down by the Hawks for his alleged lewd behaviour on social media.

Hawthorn stands Jonathon Patton down from all club commitments pending an investigation after several women came forward alleging the key forward had sent them unsolicited lewd photos.

"The club's Integrity Committee met this afternoon and will continue to ascertain all relevant information," a statement from the Hawks said.

"The club will provide a further update at the completion of the investigation and asks that the privacy of all parties involved be respected at this time."

Scans reveal Jon Patton has torn his plantaris tendon in his right leg above his Achilles tendon, but has escaped the more serious injury of a ruptured Achilles.

"We are pleased for Jon that scans have revealed no damage to his achilles. Although any injury is not ideal, this one leaves the window open for Jon to make a recovery in time for a return to football this season," Hawks head of football Graham Wright said.

In just his second match back from a long hamstring-related layoff, Jon Patton pulls up short while preparing for a contest and leaves the field early in the first quarter against Essendon.

It is the third setback of his horror first season for Hawthorn after he spent the best part of the previous season-and-a-half recovering from a third knee reconstruction.

"He's had a tough run, and that's quite often the case with guys who miss a lot of footy with one ailment, then they try and get themselves back and going again," Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson said.

"So we'll see where that goes and he'll be disappointed, but he's confronted setbacks like this before and he'll just have to do it again."

Jon Patton will spend the next month on the sidelines after scans revealed a strain in his right hamstring.

The big forward, who crossed from Greater Western Sydney to Hawthorn in the off-season, hobbled from the ground shortly after attempting a sliding chest mark in the opening quarter of the Hawks' clash against Collingwood and was seen in tears on the bench.

Jon Patton says he is fully fit and frustrated to not be playing due to the AFL 2020 season shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I made the call to make sure I was 100 per cent right for this year. So when we got to walk off the ground at the end of round one and we found out we won't be playing for a few months or however long, that was a bit of a kick in the guts," he told Channel Nine.

"I've been waiting so long to play again, and now I'm fit and healthy, so it was a bit of a blow, but at the same time, like anyone, you just have to regroup. Some guys probably had a niggle going through the pre-season, so it might have helped quite a few blokes, but I would have loved to just keep playing."

Jonathon Patton officially joins Hawthorn after being traded from Greater Western Sydney for a future fourth-round selection.

Contracted key forward Jonathon Patton officially requests a trade to Hawthorn.

"Obviously, my career so far hasn't probably gone as planned, in terms of my injuries and that sort of stuff, so I just think (I need) a bit of a change, a bit of a freshen up," Patton told reporters.

"I love the Giants, I love the club. It's not that I necessarily want to leave there; I just think it's the best thing for myself and my career going forward (to go) to a club that's got an amazing history, amazing coach.

"I know a few of the players there really well, so if (a trade) happens, it'll be exciting."

Jonathon Patton says one of his aims for 2019 is to trim down.

"The game has obviously changed a lot over the years with the running side of it, so my game won't be so much about crashing packs," he said.

"I've always been a good runner, but at a lighter weight I can take that to a new level, and when I do come back and play it'll help get up and down the ground.

"I want to be agile and quick on my feet and some people might say that'll be hard to do after three knees, but I think I'll be fine."

Scans are exptected to confirm that Jonathon Patton will require a third knee reconstruction after landing awkwardly in a training incident.

It is understood to involve his left knee; the one he endured patella tendon surgery on in his first year as a Giant.

Jon Patton is dropped from the Giants' senior side with GWS coach Leon Cameron saying the big man needs to become more dominant in both forward and ruck positions.

With just four goals and 30 marks from seven games, Cameron admits playing two roles could be behind Patton's lack of impact inside 50.

"If his ruck craft is heading in the right direction, is that to the detriment of his forward play? You could definitely say that," Cameron said.

"But players have to be able to play two or three positions.

"We've been rapt with some of the ruck stuff that Jon has been able to produce, but he knows he's got to be able to do both at the same time."

Jon Patton says he enjoyed playing in the ruck after having to fill in for injured teammate Rory Lobb against Sydney at the SCG.

Patton was dominant in the centre with 19 touches – including 14 in contests – 10 tackles, 14 hit-outs and seven clearances.

"It was a tough task to play pretty much the whole game in the ruck, but I enjoyed it and it's a good challenge," Patton said.

"You've just got to be versatile, especially being a key forward sometimes it is hard to get into the game, depending on how your midfield is going."

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron hopes Jonathon Patton's match-winning and career-high six-goal haul against Port Adelaide is the catalyst for the big forward to become one of the AFL's best.

"His attack on the ball in the first five minutes was exactly what we need, and then he became a focal point and used his marking strength," Cameron said.

"He's made some significant ground off the back of some injuries, but there's so much more improvement in him."

Jonathon Patton signs a new three-year deal with the Giants that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

"I think it's well known the injuries I've had and the Giants stuck with me during that tough time, so I always said that when my career got back on track I'd definitely repay that faith," Patton said.

"I'm from Melbourne and I can't see myself living back there, as much as I love my family and friends, Sydney is home for me now.

"A lot of us got drafted here as 18-year-olds and some of us have played with each other since we were 13, so it's not just from making a prelim (final) last year, it's been years in the making this culture we've been creating, and we think it's something that we think can take us forward."

Jonathon Patton says the chemistry between Jeremy Cameron, Rory Lobb and himself in the Giants' forward line will improve further in 2017.

"Myself, Jeremy and Rory were working pretty well together at the end of the year and got some good momentum between us," Patton said.

"We're working really well now in training – because us three didn't really work together too much before 2016 – so to have that full year together is going to help us heaps this year."

The career path of Geelong star Tom Hawkins has inspired Greater Western Sydney 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.

"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."

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron predicts injury-plagued forward Jon Patton's best is yet to come after an uncommonly slow path to his upcoming 50th AFL game.

"I reckoned he's learnt a lot about going through a rehab program and what footy means to him," Cameron said.

"Does he want to go the extra yard? Can he push himself through to actually get to the ultimate and that's playing AFL footy, let alone playing 50 games, so it's a fine achievement from Jon.

"He's only five years in, really he's probably only two years in because of the injuries he's sustained.

"But I think he's really starting to grasp what AFL footy is about week in week out and rocking up to play, so he's got a lot of work to do still, but we're definitely happy that he's on the right track."

Jon Patton says returning from his second knee reconstruction to play three senior games towards the back end of 2015 was invaluable to him.

"My goal last season was to play a senior game, so I did that," Patton said.

"Playing three games was really good, but I wasn't back to being fully confident in myself, that's why I sat out the last two games and waited for pre-season.

"When I was out there, although I wasn't playing the greatest footy, I felt like I belonged out there.

"Gaining confidence against big-bodied AFL players is a slow process. Having a long time out of the game, it takes a while to get back, but it's coming back now.

"Last year was about ticking little boxes, and next year is about playing consistent football and playing well."

Jon Patton has been taken to hospital after being assaulted while holidaying in the United States.

GWS released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming that the 22-year-old former number one draft pick had been struck on the side of the head in an unprovoked attack outside a Los Angeles nightspot.

Local police confirmed that witnesses saw the incident and a male was taken into custody and arrested for the assault.

Giants teammate Tomas Bugg was with Patton at the time.

Patton has been cleared of any serious injury but was taken to hospital with concussion.

Jonathon Patton makes a successful return in the NEAFL, finishing with four kicks, two handballs and a goal, but more importantly got through almost a half of footy unscathed.

The powerful Victorian says battling the psychological hurdles that came with his long road to recovery, for a second time, were extremely difficult to overcome.

"The physical side obviously is very tough and demanding, you do so much work on your rehab, but the psych side takes a lot longer because you just have to get out there and play and get through that first," Patton said after the UWS Giants' 94-point win.

"When you're out there actually playing you're not thinking about anything, you're just thinking about what you're going to do.

"It was good to get out there, everything left my mind, and it felt good again."

Jon Patton will finally make his comeback from a second knee reconstruction when he plays for the Giants' reserves in the NEAFL this weekend.

GWS confirmed the 22 year-old will make his first appearance for 2015 in the curtain raiser to the senior side's clash with St Kilda at Spotless Stadium.

Jonathon Patton is given the all clear to resume full training following his second knee reconstruction.

But the 21-year-old is in no rush to return, happy to bide his time on the sidelines and build confidence and fitness.

"I've been training now for a while and I'm feeling really comfortable so I guess it's just about whenever I feel right and my mind feels right to go out there," Patton said.

"It's just week by week. I don't want to rush anything. I just want to get a really good training base first."

Giants coach Leon Cameron says Jonathon Patton is on track for a mid-season return from his latest knee reconstruction.

"Jon Patton's rehab has been outstanding and should resume around the middle of the year," Cameron said.

Jonathon Patton will head to Philadelphia next week to work with one of the world's leading knee specialists in a bid to boost his rehabilitation from a second reconstruction.

"I get to go overseas and work with one of the best ACL rehab guys in the world and it's something I'm really grateful for," Patton said.

"The club had my best interest at heart and we both thought, 'Why not?' This way I get to go away as I didn't get to go away in the off-season, so I can't wait for it."

Jonathon Patton has extended his contract with Greater Western Sydney until the end of 2017.

"He's obviously someone we want to lock in long-term and even more so now (since his knee injury)," Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said.

"I just want to give him the security and certainty to let him get on and overcome that setback."

Jonathon Patton says he is determined to return strongly from his latest knee injury.

"There's no doubt this is a very challenging and confronting time in my life," Patton said.

"I'm three years into my career and have had more injuries than most people have endured for their whole career.

"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."

Sports medico Dr Peter Larkins says the future is grim for Jonathon Patton after the key forward tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second time.

Larkins said Patton's options were limited because of the surgery he underwent in Sweden early in 2012 to treat patellar tendinopathy (also known as jumper's knee).

"The choice for him is to have another hamstring [taken from] the opposite knee, so you take good hamstring tissue out of the left knee," Larkins said.

"Because he's had patella tendon issues you don't want to take patella tendon from his knee because it's not a healthy tendon, and he's already had the right hamstring taken out.

"It's not good going forward. He's a big guy and we hope that he makes a full recovery. We always hope that after ACLs.

"But for a young guy who we haven't seen the best of, it's not great news."

Jonathon Patton is still coming to terms with the prospect of another 12 months on the sideline with a third serious knee injury in his short career.

After tearing the ACL in his right knee for the second time, Patton will undergo a traditional knee construction in the coming days.

"Learning about his past history and the injuries, it was shattering for him to get that news last night," Patton's teammate and housemate Heath Shaw said.

"He was pretty upset … and after the game when we got told, all the boys were just in silence because it's such a tough thing."

Jonathon Patton tears ACL in his right knee for the second time after landing awkwardly from a marking contest in the second quarter of the Giants' game against Melbourne at the MCG.

Jonathon Patton is the round 18 rising star nominee after taking a career-high nine marks and kicking two goals from 15 disposals in a narrow seven-point loss to Geelong.

"It wasn't really on my mind at all," Patton said about the nomination.

"It's nice to be recognised, but you listen more to what people say behind closed doors and inside of the club."

Jonathan Patton is experimented in the Giants' backline against Gold Coast but GWS coach Leon Cameron says his future is still up forward.

"We talked about developing other areas of Jon's game - like Boydy developing as a second option in the ruck," Cameron said.

"He started forward, and I thought he was particularly dangerous as a forward at times, but we also wanted him to go back and help our defenders."

GWS coach Leon Cameron says Jonathon Patton will have to get over the mental challenge of playing again at StarTrack Oval in Canberra, the venue where he injured his knee more than 10 months ago.

"There's no doubt there'll be a few demons here and there but we spoke about that during the week," Cameron said.

"It's just natural; this is where he hurt his knee but I think the big thing about Jon is he's come a long way in terms of he's a third year player, he's matured, he's had to get over a number of hurdles, his first year with his patella.

"I think that adversity he's faced has really helped him to mature into a really young man so we look forward to him strutting his stuff here tomorrow night."

Jonathon Patton will step up his recovery from long-term knee injury by taking part in Greater Western Sydney's intra-club match.

"Jon is coming back from that long-term injury," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

"He played a couple of quarters last Friday, but he'll roll out tomorrow and it's great for Jon in his progression back into AFL football to see him play three-to-four quarters."

Tom Boyd says having a tall trio of Jonathan Patton, Jeremy Cameron and himself in the Giants' forward line presents an interesting dilemma for the club.

"It comes down to a lot of things – in terms of form and timing. Obviously being a bigger forward line, can we put on the defensive pressure that's required?" Boyd asked.

"It's an interesting dilemma to have, but it's really not up to me. I'll leave that up to the coaches."

After having his first two years of AFL football affected by injury, Jonathon Patton says he won't settle for becoming the third-string forward with the Giants in 2014.

"You don't want anyone to think you're second or third best," Patton said.

"But I know once I get my body right I'll be fine. It's all about getting my body right and having a bit of luck."

Jonathon Patton says realizing his season was over after rupturing his arterior cruciate ligament was devastating.

"It was the worst night of my life," Patton told The Daily Telegraph.

"I thought it was my ankle and I didn't think it would be anything serious, then they told me it could be the ACL and it was shattering. I started crying just at the thought it could be my ACL, then the scans confirmed it."

Jonathon Patton will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL when he was brought down by St Kilda's Rhys Stanley and his right leg buckled underneath him.

"They're the tough rigours of an AFL career … it's a challenge for the young man," GWS coach Kevin Sheedy said.

"He's already had an operation on his other leg and this is an injury to his good leg.

"It's just unfortunate, we'll keep him up and keep him around the club, and it creates other opportunities for other players to come in."

The Giants have protected their young stars from swooping rivals, confirming seven players have signed new deals with the club.

Jonathon Patton, Dom Tyson, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Andrew Phillips and Sam Frost have committed until the end of the 2015 AFL season while Curtly Hampton and Aidan Corr signed through 2016.

"Everyone wants success, that is why you play the game and I think we are in the best position we can possibly be in," Patton said.

"The club has done an amazing job to put this list together. We have a lot of talent here. This is a great club to be at. This is a club you don't want to leave."

After overcoming a horrific run with injury, Jonathon Patton is ready to play the role of target man in the Giants' forward line in 2013.

"Jon's been really good. He's been on the track pretty much every session," GWS co-captain Callan Ward said.

"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."

Jonathon Patton says he is enjoying being injury-free this pre-season compared to last year.

"You do really question yourself a few times in the rehab group," Patton said about his experience in 2011.

"It's just so taxing. Early mornings every day. You're not with the group, you're watching them train. You're sort of thinking, 'When are you going to play? When are you going to train?' All that adds up. But it makes you mentally stronger."

Jonathon Patton says he wants to make the most of his first proper pre-season after being injured last year.

"My mindset is a lot different this year, I'm training so it's a lot better ... rehab was very hard with early mornings each day," Patton said.

"You could say that I'm more focused this year and more determined to show people what I can do.

"I want to build a really good fitness base so I can run out games more and ... get some more chemistry with the forward line and the other boys out on the field."

Jonathon Patton says he and fellow forward Jeremy Cameron would benefit from having Kurt Tippett at the Giants.

"If Kurt came to the Giants it would be awesome for the club," Patton said.

"He's hitting his prime and he has already shown what sort of a player he is. If he comes here, Jeremy and I will be looking forward to working with him in the forward line."

GWS head of sports science John Quinn says there will be a marked improvement from Jon Patton in 2013 after the big forward struggled with injury during the early part of 2012.

"He hadn't played for about seven months by the time we got him training and playing," Quinn said.

"He knew he wasn't in the best physical condition, but it was important for his mental approach and to keep him motivated for him to play.

"He's up and going now and a good pre-season under Jon Patton, I think people are going to be really surprised with what he brings to us."

Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Dylan Shiel will undergo surgery with three rounds remaining for the year in preparation for 2013.

"We're being proactive with these young bodies," said John Quinn, GWS' head of sports science.

"With a player like Jeremy it was evident early on that he would need surgery at some point and now this will relieve him of his pain and give him the best chance for a full pre-season heading in to 2013.

"Patton obviously sustained the shoulder injury two weeks ago and the advice we received from the surgeons was to have the procedure done immediately. This will enable him to be ready for his first full pre-season, as last year he was hampered by a knee injury and subsequent surgery.

"We're very happy with the results of Dylan's surgery and whilst it is a six-month recovery for him, we have excellent fitness and medical staff to get him to his full potential by the NAB Cup."

Jonathon Patton will be rested from this week's trip to Perth to take on Fremantle as he continues to be nursed through his debut AFL season.

"Jonathon Patton hasn't even had a pre-season. He had a trip to Europe [for knee surgery]. So he won't play this week," GWS coach Kevin Sheedy said.

Jonathon Patton says he won't expect to reach full fitness until 2013.

"It's going to take a little while to get that AFL fitness," Patton said.

"Obviously it won't come this year but, each week, it's going to keep getting better and better.

"I'm happy with the way I'm presenting up the ground and giving the boys another option. I think I've been good in that aspect in creating a contest and taking a few marks."

Greater Western Sydney is comfortable with how its contract talks are progressing with its young stars Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron.

"What's been in the forefront of [Patton's] mind ... is just getting him right and back playing, so there's no particular hurry from that point of view," Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said.

"And with Jeremy Cameron, he's been at the club for a significant period of time already. He came a year earlier than the rest of the players and has settled in very well and we're confident that we can progress discussions with Jeremy."

Jonathon Patton's first game as an AFL Giant gave every indication he will be a future star with seven possessions, four marks and a goal in wet conditions.

"It was just really good to get out there and be part of something that's going to be pretty special," he said.

"All the boys got around me and I was rapt just to get through the game and didn't cramp, which is a positive for me."

Jonathon Patton makes his AFL debut for GWS with 7 disposals (5 kicks and 2 handballs), 4 marks, 2 tackles and a goal in a 12-point loss to Richmond.

Top pick Tom Scully has formed a close relationship with teammate and fellow No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton.

"We've come through similar paths and I like to have a chat to him about how he's going with it all," Scully said.

"Being a number one pick as well, I've tried to give him a bit of advice on what to expect and how to handle it and pass on my experiences.

"We also both came off injuries leading into our first season. I had a knee injury as well and missed a fair chunk of pre-season, although I was lucky to play early on.

"There's so much external expectation on him, but I just told him to remain focused and get his rehab right."

Jonathon Patton says the low-key build up to his upcoming debut has helped him escape the scruty of being the No.1 draft pick.

"It definitely has, especially being in Sydney," he said.

"That's been pretty helpful. Looking at (fellow top picks) Jack Watts and Tom Scully when they were in Melbourne, they had heaps of scrutiny over them, so I think that's helped a lot.

"I've spoken to a few guys at the club and I'm not too worried about how many kicks or marks or goals I get; I just want to have a run around and get a taste of AFL footy."

Greater Western Sydney confirms that No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton will make his long-awaited AFL debut against Richmond at Skoda Stadium.

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy says No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton will make his debut in round 12 against Richmond at Skoda Stadium.

"He'll come in against Richmond and we've let him know that," Sheedy said.

"He'll play on the weekend again [in the NEAFL] and it would be better for him to play against Richmond at our stadium.

"He needs to train to get to there. We don't want to be rushing players back … and he'll be ready to go in a couple of weeks."

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy hopes Jonathon Patton doesn't follow the same path as Essendon's injury-plagued forward Scott Gumbleton.

"The best thing from my experience is don't rush these guys too early or, otherwise, you'll end up with the Gumbleton-type thing," Sheedy said.

"He was an early draft pick and he still hasn't had his body right five or six years later. You've got to be very careful here with certain players and their body maturity."

A trip to Sweden for new Giant Jon Patton has saved his season after unidentified bone growths were discovered in his knee.

"Dr Alfredson reviewed Patton's history and then examined him with an ultrasound that showed extensive new blood vessel formation at the lower tip of the knee cap, near where the tendon joins," Giants physiotherapist Leroy Lobo who travelled to Europe with Patton said.

"He also noted that there were some bony changes at the tip of the knee cap that would likely be hitting the tendon and leading to tendon changes and the pain that Patton was feeling.

"The process took over an hour. The bony growths and other parts around the tendon were trimmed.

"The bony lesions in particular were interesting as Dr Alfredson felt that we would have hit a wall with Patton's conservative exercise-only rehab without this procedure.

"He felt without the bony-growth removal, we would have found ongoing tendon pain despite the carefully designed rehab designed by the Giants and his long-time colleague Jill Cook."

Giants forward Jonathon Patton faces an extended stint on the sidelines after having surgery in Sweden.

"We want to give all our players, including our draftees, every chance to fulfil their potential and we are pleased that Jonathon … underwent this procedure," GWS general manager of football operations Graeme Allan said.

"While we won't do anything to rush him or jeopardize his long term future, we remain confident that he will be able to resume full training in early April and be available for selection in May."

No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton says he remains positive despite having to wait several months before being available for his AFL debut due to a knee complaint.

"I've got an appointment with the best surgeon in the world so I'm grateful for that opportunity that the Giants have given me," Patton said.

"I'll hopefully be back by May so I might miss the first five to seven games, but the club sees me as a long-term prospect so, in the big picture, it's not that big of a disappointment."

Jonathon Patton has been diagnosed with 'jumper's knee' and will undergo surgery in Sweden which will effectively rule him out until May of 2012.

"It is not an uncommon condition in young players and something the club was aware of before we drafted Jonathon," Giants sports science manager John Quinn said.

"As such, he has been on a modified training program since he joined the Giants and we have been monitoring him closely."

2011 No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton says he is ready to handle the pressure of being the year's top pick.

"There's been a bit of hype … and I thought that if I am (No.1 pick) then I'm ready to take it on," Patton said.

"I'm not going to back down from the challenge. I'm going to take it head on and I'm really proud of being the No.1 pick."