Worst night of my life: Patton

Injured GWS youngster Jonathon Patton at the MCG. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: The Daily Telegraph

GIANTS No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has described the tears and heartache he felt after learning his season was over.

Speaking for the first time since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, Patton revealed the devastation he felt.

"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.

"A few of the boys were very emotional, Steve Coniglio is one of my best mates, he was very upset."

Patton played just seven games last year after missing most of the pre-season and the start of 2012 with patella tendonitis in his left leg (the ACL rupture is in his right knee).

He travelled to wintery northern Sweden in March last year for surgery, which was a success.

With a full pre-season under the belt the 20-year-old looked set for a big year starting the season with three goals against the defending premiers in round one.

Patton has had great support from his teammates and coaches but has been surprised by the generosity of opposition players and coaches.

Justin Leppitsch, a three-time Brisbane premiership player and now assistant coach at Richmond, has reached out to Patton, along with Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito and Hawthorn's Alex Woodward who both suffered the same season-ending injury during the pre-season.

"Justin gave me a call, he did his ACL when he was 17 and to this day he hasn't had any problems," Patton said.

"Anthony Morabito sent me some texts that was really good of him.

"My good mate from Hawthorn, Alex Woodward, had his done again and I spoke to him. People from outside the club and from other clubs talking to me makes me feel a lot better and it's not the worst thing that can happen."

After surgery this week Patton is considering visiting his brother Chris, who plays division one for Riverside University in California.

"He was really disappointed for me, he wants to do so much for me but he can't because he's in America," Patton said.

"He said so many good players come back from this and have good careers."

Patton will start running in three to four months and expects to be able to complete a full pre-season and to be ready for round one in 2014.
 

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