St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt believes Jon Patton’s latest injury setback has led to a “tipping point” of emotions after a number of frustrating moment.
Patton was seen in tears on the interchange bench after leaving the field during the first quarter, with footy boss Graham Wright confirming the 27-year-old had a “small nick” in his hamstring after attempting to take a sliding mark.
Speaking on Fox Footy at half time, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph described the scenes as “harrowing”, pointing out that Patton would’ve used hamstring tendons to repair three previous ACL ruptures.
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Hawk in tears over hammy
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Riewoldt said it was important to remember the context of Patton’s injury-riddled career before judging him for showing so much emotion over a hamstring setback.
“You can‘t look at the injury in isolation. You need to look at the entire picture surrounding it,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
“Specific to Jon Patton, there‘s a cumulative effect at play here, absolutely, because we know high draft pick, there’s a lot of expectation. But (he) has never really been able to find that continuity and have a run at it.
“It just looked like this was the tipping point for him. Injury upon injury, compound effect, compound frustration – and it spilled over. It might not be a really significant injury, but that cumulative effect is just worn him down, it looks like.
“You just feel for him.”
Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown said Patton would also be feeling pressure to perform for the Hawks after being traded from the Giants to fill a key forward chasm.
“They (the Hawks) are struggling there with a with key forward … they need someone to stand up,” Brown told Fox Footy. “So there‘s a lot of pressure coming on and a lot of expectations, so that would build up behind the scenes as well.”
Jonathon Patton injured himself while trying to take a mark. Photo: Phil Hillyard.Source: News Corp Australia
Patton was also seen having a passionate conversation with Hawthorn’s club doctor at quarter-time, with lip-readers not having to work too hard to figure out what the big forward said.
“He wouldn‘t be the first footballer to tell a doctor where to go,” Brown said.
“The doctors do a wonderful job but they‘re the first person in your face usually and the frustration comes out, so the docs are used to copping it.”
