He destroyed Port Adelaide with an equal career-best six goals, but former No. 1 AFL draft pick Jonathon Patton still has a long way to go according to Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron.
Patton returned to the side for Saturday night's 31-point win over the Power in Canberra and delivered a performance that showcased his immense potential.
"There's no doubt there's so much more improvement in Jon, he's got to believe in himself and what he can do at AFL level," Cameron said.
"There's still a way to go but his attack on the ball in the first five minutes was exactly what we needed.
"Then he became a focal point and used his marking strength.
"You're not always going to get on the scoreboard. It's how you go about it when things aren't going your way."
The 23-year-old's career has been continually dogged by injury, having played just 57 games as he embarks on a sixth season with the Giants.
He's had two knee reconstructions and a hip complaint keep him out of AFL action for the past two weeks.
"He's made significant ground on his injuries and there's so much more improvement," Cameron said.
Fellow Giants forward Jeremy Cameron entered Saturday night's match as the competition's leading goal-kicker and emerged with one goal after playing up the ground while Patton occupied space deep inside the Giants' 50.
His coach was impressed with his workrate and believes Cameron is starting to answer critics of his efforts at the other end of the ground.
"He plays that true centre-half-forward role better than what he did 12 months ago and then equally he can play deep," Cameron said.
"I was really proud of his defensive actions tonight. There's no doubt he probably turned three or four opportunities into scoring shots today."
205cm ruck-forward Rory Lobb is another of the Giants' talls with the potential to cause headaches for opposition defences.
Cameron said the club would aim to develop Lobb, Cameron and Patton into versatile footballers with the potential to run through the midifeld.
"I was really proud Rory Lobb played on the wing at times," Cameron said.
"We want Jon to eventually learn that role as well and also maybe go on the ball and Jeremy up the ground."
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