GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron knows Jonathon Patton is a work in progress, but is backing the young key forward to fire in Sunday's clash against Melbourne.
Following just 10 games in two years on the GWS list due to back-to-back knee injuries, former No.1 draft pick Patton has made an inconsistent start to 2014.
An impressive three-goal, 13-disposal effort in the round one win over the Sydney Swans was followed by a far more quiet two-behind, six-touch return in their narrow defeat to St Kilda.
Patton had some chances late in the game to put the Giants in front, but was guilty of some fumbles and a lack of composure in the fourth quarter.
"You have to remember Jon has only played 12 AFL games," Cameron said.
"I know Jon's a third-year player, but most of our third-year players have played 35-to-40 games.
"To hold down a key position after only playing 12 AFL games is a huge ask.
"We're going to have some ups and downs with some of our key position players, but he's progressing in the right direction.
"He was fantastic against Sydney, he was a little bit quieter in the St Kilda game, but I'm sure he'll bounce back this weekend against Melbourne."
The Giants also have another key forward, and another No.1 pick, waiting in the wings to make his debut in Tom Boyd.
Following a slightly interrupted pre-season, Boyd was eased into his first year on a senior list with a couple of practice matches, including a strong three-goal effort for the reserves against an ACT side in early March.
The 18-year-old then made a quiet NEAFL debut, kicking one goal in a 26-point defeat to the NT Thunder in Darwin last weekend.
Boyd will continue his education when the reserves take on the Swans' seconds at Spotless Stadium in a curtain-raiser to Sunday's game between GWS and Melbourne.
And Cameron says he will make his mark at some stage this year.
"Tom's actually progressing really, really well," he said.
"He played really well in our game against Adelaide in a practice match and then went to Darwin last weekend.
"I don't want to put pressure on any of these young kids.
"Our third-year players are really standing up at the moment because they've got three pre-seasons under their belt and can absorb AFL intensity.
"But Tom will play, when that happens I can't tell you that, but he is progressing really well and when he comes in, look out."
Boyd is one of a host of key position players waiting for an opportunity at GWS.
The highly rated Adam Tomlinson is yet to make a senior appearance in 2014, while fellow talls Stephen Gilham, Cam McCarthy, James Stewart, Aidan Corr and Kristian Jaksch are among those also biding their time.
It doesn't seem to be fazing the youngsters, however, evidenced by Stewart and McCarthy's decisions over the past week to extend their contracts with the club.
The Giants are happy to stockpile their talls as the list evolves.
"We're rapt to have 13-to-14 young key position players on our list, because it becomes really tight and hot for spots," Cameron said.
"Whether it's full-forward, centre half-forward, another tall forward or fullback, what is good is if you can build key position players from within.
"It's just a great advantage."
