Fifteen months after surgery on his left knee for patellar tendinopathy that severely impacted his rookie campaign with the Giants, Patton underwent surgery on his right knee on Tuesday.
Having shown some excellent signs following his first full pre-season, the former No.1 draft pick's year is now over after just three games.
The group of youngsters that make up GWS' list have formed some tight friendships and Patton says there were some difficult moments in the dressing room following the round three clash with St Kilda in Canberra.
"It was pretty sad. A few of the boys were a bit emotional," Patton told the GWS website.
"It was a bit shattering for a few of them after the game.
"But they were great, they were all there for me and gave me their full support and that made me feel a lot more comfortable that night and the day after."
The injury is another setback for Patton, who turns 20 next month.
He overcame last year's knee surgery to play seven games in his debut campaign before shoulder surgery then ended his season in August.
Patton was back working on his fledgling partnership with fellow key forward Jeremy Cameron this year, kicking three goals in round one against the Sydney Swans and five for the season, before his latest setback.
He initially just thought he'd rolled his ankle and possibly jarred his knee until the full diagnosis came through from the club's medical staff.
But Patton is doing his best to remain positive and knows he has plenty of time on his side.
“The surgeons have said I’m pretty much out for this whole year and should be able to do the full pre-season (next year),” Patton said.
“It’ll be non-contact for the first bit and then I should be right to go for round one, which makes me feel better that I can do a full pre-season and then show what I can do.
“I’m fully confident in the doctor and the physio team that I’ll be back better than ever."
Patton added that last year's experience of doing everything right with his other knee should help him get through another tough rehab program in 2013.
"I guess I'm not a stranger to rehab, it's not like I don't know what it's going to be like, so that'll make it a lot easier," he said.
"I know there's a lot of early mornings and long days, but you have to just get through it and look at your end goal, which is going to be round one (next year)."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
