IN-DEMAND Giant Jon Patton will almost certainly sit out the rest of the season ahead of a potential move to Hawthorn.
The 198cm forward kicked 83 goals between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but underwent a third knee reconstruction last year after suffering an ACL tear in his left knee in July.
Patton's previous two reconstructions were on his right knee.
AFL.com.au first reported the Hawks' interest in the 26-year-old in April, but his manager, Paul Connors, of Connors Sports, told SEN on Tuesday that a deal had not been struck yet.
Patton, an inaugural Giant, is contracted to Greater Western Sydney until the end of next year and has trained strongly for the past month, on top of ramping up his running since January.
He told AFL.com.au at the start of the year that he wanted to trim down before returning in response to the demands of the modern game after previously playing slightly above 100kg.
Patton's last AFL game came in round 15 last season against the Hawks. Picture: AFL Photos
"We've got a weight we're aiming to reach by the time I start playing, and I haven't been that light since I began my AFL career," Patton said.
"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.
"I'll be more dynamic with my feet and more agile, and obviously with my injury history the fewer kilos will help take the load off my legs."
Connors said Patton was "physically" ready to play, likely at NEAFL level, about a month ago, but that star teammate and free agent Stephen Coniglio's own knee setback had "spooked him".
"Jonny's coming back from three knees, so unless you're in his shoes, no one can say what it's like to have three knee reconstructions," Connors said.
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"Physically, if you want to say when was he ready, it's always probably about 12 months … but mentally that's just as important as physically.
"That's what (renowned surgeon) Julian Feller would say to Jon and to us.
"He did pull up a bit sore a couple of times, so he went down and saw Julian and I think between everyone there's good dialogue that they are all comfortable with where it sits."
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Giants coach Leon Cameron told reporters last week that they "haven't given up hope" of Patton playing again in 2019.
However, Connors hinted that scenario was highly unlikely to occur.
"He's got six months to get better – physically, mentally, everything – coming back from what he's come back from," Connors said.
"Don't forget, he could also be at GWS (next year), so for both parties it's a win, I think.
"The last thing we need is for him to be hurt and sometimes you do get hurt when you're not switched on 100 per cent, even at training or playing, so I'm supportive of how they've both managed it."
The emergence of Jeremy Finlayson this season, alongside Coleman Medal contender Jeremy Cameron and Harry Himmelberg, means the Giants are well-stocked for tall forwards.
Where Patton fits in that equation once he is fit is unclear.
"It might be that their forward line is a bit packed and he might need an opportunity (elsewhere)," Connor said.
"But he'll look at that at the end of the year and he's totally supportive of what the Giants are trying to do in the finals series as well."
