Jon Patton from the Greater Western Sydney Giants is the Round 18 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 21-year-old forward took a career-high nine marks and kicked two goals against the Geelong Cats in the first week of the split round.
Other highlights this year include three goals in the win over the Sydney Swans in Round One and three goals against the Brisbane Lions in Round 13.
Patton has found some consistent form in 2014 after two injury interrupted years, including an ACL reconstruction in early 2013.
He made his AFL debut in Round 12 2012, but started this season with just 10 games. He has played 16 games and kicked 21 goals this year.
Standing at 198cm, Patton’s contested marking has become a highlight of his game. He is currently ranked first amongst players eligible for the rising star in contested marks and is ranked fourteenth across the competition.
Jon Patton is available for interview upon request tomorrow,
Tuesday, July 29
Please contact Leigh Meyrick: 0407 407 830
Giants coach Leon Cameron said Jon’s return to the team this year has helped spark the young GWS forward line.
“It’s been fantastic to see Jon develop the way he has this season and this nomination is reward for a lot of hard work he has put in coming back from his knee injury.
“For Jon to string together 15 games this season has been terrific, and we look forward to him being a big part of our forward line along for a number of years to come.”
Patton was selection one in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the St Simon’s Junior Football Club in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup.
He represented Vic Metro in the 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was named an Under-18 All-Australian.
Patton is a graduate of the AFL National Academies.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- AFL National Academies
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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