- Sep 30, 2010
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Draft Profile
SNAPSHOT: “An explosive athlete with scintillating speed and attacking instincts to catch the opposition unawares.” – Michael Alvaro
There has been no hiding the abundant Suns Academy talent this year, with Dylan Patterson central to a brimming Queensland crop. The eye-catching utility has dazzled opponents and onlookers for several years now, resisting interest from rugby league clubs to pursue his Aussie rules dream. It has proven to be a shrewd decision, with the speedster considered a consensus top five prospect in this year’s draft.
Patterson was one of five Suns Academy members to earn All-Australian selection at the Under 16 National Championships. He was a low-possession, high-impact wingman then, capable of using his pace to hurt the opposition going forward. He continued to explore his versatility as a bottom-ager in 2024 and ended up earning a VFL berth with Gold Coast, making seven state league appearances.
While he spent plenty of time as a midfielder-forward, Patterson was again utilised as a wingman and dashing defender in the Under 17 Futures series – representing Queensland, and then moving on to the National Futures game on AFL Grand Final day. Patterson was duly inducted into the National Academy for 2025, and set up his top-age campaign by spending a block of his preseason training with the senior Suns.
The crowning moments in Patterson’s draft year came in Allies colours, playing out a full national carnival to be named the All-Australian half-back. He was amongst his side’s best players in three of four games and helped produce the game-winning passage in their only win, against Western Australia. He also added to his VFL exposure, playing four more games and saving a personal-best 24 disposals for last.
Patterson’s season ended a week after his final VFL outing, representing QAFL side Palm Beach Currumbin. He ended up sustaining a hamstring injury and did not participate in the National Draft Combine, but would likely have set the timing sheets alight with his explosive athletic attributes. Now, he’s part of the tricky equation Gold Coast has to navigate ahead of the draft, balancing quality recruits with star Academy graduates.
SNAPSHOT: “An explosive athlete with scintillating speed and attacking instincts to catch the opposition unawares.” – Michael Alvaro
There has been no hiding the abundant Suns Academy talent this year, with Dylan Patterson central to a brimming Queensland crop. The eye-catching utility has dazzled opponents and onlookers for several years now, resisting interest from rugby league clubs to pursue his Aussie rules dream. It has proven to be a shrewd decision, with the speedster considered a consensus top five prospect in this year’s draft.
Patterson was one of five Suns Academy members to earn All-Australian selection at the Under 16 National Championships. He was a low-possession, high-impact wingman then, capable of using his pace to hurt the opposition going forward. He continued to explore his versatility as a bottom-ager in 2024 and ended up earning a VFL berth with Gold Coast, making seven state league appearances.
While he spent plenty of time as a midfielder-forward, Patterson was again utilised as a wingman and dashing defender in the Under 17 Futures series – representing Queensland, and then moving on to the National Futures game on AFL Grand Final day. Patterson was duly inducted into the National Academy for 2025, and set up his top-age campaign by spending a block of his preseason training with the senior Suns.
The crowning moments in Patterson’s draft year came in Allies colours, playing out a full national carnival to be named the All-Australian half-back. He was amongst his side’s best players in three of four games and helped produce the game-winning passage in their only win, against Western Australia. He also added to his VFL exposure, playing four more games and saving a personal-best 24 disposals for last.
Patterson’s season ended a week after his final VFL outing, representing QAFL side Palm Beach Currumbin. He ended up sustaining a hamstring injury and did not participate in the National Draft Combine, but would likely have set the timing sheets alight with his explosive athletic attributes. Now, he’s part of the tricky equation Gold Coast has to navigate ahead of the draft, balancing quality recruits with star Academy graduates.
