REPRESENTATIVE football presents the chance not only for prospects to show their wares on the big stage, but also for states to showcase their talent pool. Queensland did so last year with a win over Vic Metro in the Under 17 Futures trials, unveiling a raft of stars to the wider footballing audience.

One of them was Dylan Patterson, a powerful midfielder out of the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Having been among the five Suns named in 2023’s Under 16 All-Australian side, Patterson went on earn a VFL berth in 2024 and is a member of the 2025 AFL Academy. He’ll also be in line for Allies selection.

Patterson entered the Futures double-header in Werribee having turned out for all four of Gold Coast’s Coates Talent League fixtures, averaging a tick under 15 disposals. He also had six state league games under his belt, including a personal-best 15 touches and two goals against Brisbane in Round 18.

After Queensland’s upset win on the road, Patterson went on to play in the VFL’s Wildcard Round and was selected for the National Futures match – opening the door for AFL Academy honours. Now, he is preparing for his top-age campaign having had a taste of training with the Suns’ senior group.

In the latest instalment of Star Turn, we put Patterson under the microscope to analyse how his Futures performance stacked up against his Queensland teammates, and why it was such a notable fixture.

>> Star Turn: Liam Hetherton | Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves | Josh Lindsay

2024 Coates Talent League averages:
4 games | 14.8 disposals | 2.8 marks | 3.0 tackles | 3.3 inside 50s | 0.5 goals

2024 VFL averages:
7 games | 10.4 disposals | 3.1 marks | 2.0 tackles | 0.7 goals

2024 Under 17 Futures Trials
Vic Metro 8.12 (60) def. by Queensland 12.8 (80)
Saturday August 10 @ Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

>> Click here to read the full Scouting Notes

Above all else, Patterson’s speed is arguably his most impressive trait. He’s an explosive runner who breaks lines and takes the game on, often making opponents look silly or slow in the process. It’s part of what makes him the ultimate impact player and one who suits the pace of the modern game.

So, while the likes of Beau Addinsall and Daniel Annable racked up mountains of possessions against Vic Metro, Patterson stood out in singular, more sparse moments. It was difficult not to stand up and take note when he ran with the ball, proving effective on the outside or as a pinch-hitting on-ball threat.

Patterson is improving on his endurance running but covers ground rather effortlessly. His first possession came inside the defensive 50, where he gathered the ball at a stoppage, then continued running to receive the third handball in the chain and kick long out to the wing.

Such passages make him an asset in transition, able to slingshot the ball by either waxing with teammates or going alone. He also used his speed to impact defensively in term one, closing in on an opponent to spoil before recovering the loose ball and shooting on goal from the boundary.

Patterson would sometimes run himself into trouble looking to step past an opponent or playing in a high gear at all costs, but the risk often reaps great rewards. One such instance saw him tear through the corridor with two running bounces – a play which led to Maddox Iverach’s third quarter goal.

His ability to drop the shoulder and take off makes him difficult to contain even in the tightest of spots, let alone when released into space. What’s more, Patterson showed off some terrific one-touch handling off the deck and doesn’t mind wearing contact – either to absorb or lay tackles.

Where he can look to improve, and it was obvious even in this game, is his ball use. Patterson is often able to identify targets and has a punchy kicking style, but can skew his passes when going at full tilt. His disposal invites pressure at times, and his athletic traits won’t get him out of that kind of trouble.

His best use of the ball came in term four where he hit up Matthew Hoy with a darting pass inside 50, using the inside of his boot to find him slightly inboard. With 15-20 of those disposals and around a goal per game, there is no reason why Patterson cannot be another Suns export to feature in the first round.

Circling back to why such a performance was so important for Queensland, it helped put into context for the more casual observer just how promising the state’s talent is. To beat a Victorian side away is no mean feat, regardless of selection, and proves that the Sunshine State’s talent pipeline is steady as ever.

Patterson, along with Addinsall, Annable, Zeke Uwland and Kalani White, are the five Queenslanders included in the National Academy. Uwland is touted as a potential top pick, while the remaining players may well all end up amongst the top 20. Several more Suns are on the radar of other clubs, too.

>> NATIONAL CHAMPS: Why the 2025 Allies can repeat history

SCOUTING NOTES

“Patterson had an electric game rotating between the inside and outside of Queensland’s midfield. His pace was a real feature, as the Suns Academy star constantly took the game on and showed his opponents a clean set of cleats. Whether accelerating away in straight lines or side-stepping those in front of him, Patterson was near-impossible to catch. Even when he looked like being tackled, his power and one-touch handling off the deck brought him extra time to break clear.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 Under 17 Futures Trials

“Having spent much of the year as a midfielder-forward, Patterson brought his flair and dashing style to Team Heppell’s defence. His pace off the mark is an elite trait and got him out of trouble plenty a time, but was also useful when snatching quick metres on the rebound. The Suns Academy member even used his speed defensively with a goal-saving diving smother in the first quarter. Patterson then moved into midfield where he was again difficult to lay a hand on, taking off with the ball in powerful bursts and looking dangerous when carrying it on the attack.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 National Futures match

“Patterson’s best traits came to the fore once the dew was kicked off the turf after half time, allowing for dynamic running passages and changes of direction. He shifted angles nicely on the move, cutting through traffic and carrying the ball from end to end. The bottom-ager looked to chain possessions with the help of teammates, and got on the end of one passage himself with a booming goal on the run from 50 metres during term three.” – Michael Alvaro, 2024 CTL Round 5

“An eye-catching player who was stationed on the wing, Patterson proved particularly impressive in the first half where he racked up most of his 14 disposals and six marks. He handled the wet ball cleanly, adopting a casual style across the ground but springing to life when leaping for marks. Finishing as one of Gold Coast’s seven goalkickers, he showed plenty of promise.” – Michael Alvaro, 2023 Under 16 National Championships

>> Preseason Q&As: Beau Addinsall | Max Hudson | Jai Murray | Zeke Uwland