STRENGTHS:

+ Decision making
+ Defensive versatility
+ Intercepting
+ Leadership
+ Reading the play
+ Rebounding

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Defensive application
- Ground level game

Patton has become accustomed to having his hands full in defence, often tasked with two-way responsibilities. He is an effective interceptor and took on some tough roles at the National Championships, but is also just as comfortable setting up play on the rebound as a more free-roaming asset. A lot of his defensive strengths are observed in the aerial department, with Patton's height (192cm) seeing him take on taller opponents or chime in as a third-up marker. He averaged 4.8 marks and 4.0 intercepts at this year's National Championships, with the latter figure boosted to 6.8 across five SANFL Under 18 outings.

Complimenting his intercept game is composed work on the rebound. Patton is often entrusted with kick-in duties and rated for his decision making when distributing the ball by foot. In state colours, over three-quarters of his disposals were kicks, and he went at a high efficiency rating of 89 per cent to justify his hold on such responsibilities. The 18-year-old is also capable of chaining possessions out of the backline, often playing a chip and chase style where he follows up initial short passes to get the ball back and generate overlap run in transition. In that sense, he not only reads the play well, but also helps set it up.

Some of Patton's strengths are also intangibles. He's a terrific leader and captained his state this year, but is also relatively unselfish with regards to his defensive versatility. State coach Tony Bamford has lauded his reliability, which shows in the way Patton took on roles on both tall and small opponents throughout the national carnival - all while maintaining a consistent output. He has good range in what he can do across the last line and while he arguably looks best when freed up as a third tall who can rack up easy ball, he is also capable of locking down on dangerous forwards.

In terms of improvement areas, Patton can enhance his ground level game and add elements to his defensive craft. He's sound in the air, but tackling and maintaining a focus on defence are a couple of things he can look to enhance. While effective when moving the ball in transition, Patton is sometimes caught in possession as he looks to take the game on and loses some of his efficiency under pressure. Being somewhat of an in-between size - leaning towards the taller end of the scale - makes that element a touch less pertinent, but being well-rounded down back is a must in the modern game.