Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Dylan Patterson has the match-winning ability of few, if any others, in the 2025 draft class.
His hurt factor with ball in hand is simply next level, and he's shown that every time the intensity of a game lifts he has the capability to step up and bring his devastating skillset.
He did it in the U17s Futures game last year; both AFL Academy games; for the Allies; and then stepped up in Gold Coast's last VFL game of the season, in particular.
Regardless of where on the field he plays, he has the X-factor and mindset to hurt opposition, and speaking to Zero Hanger earlier in 2025, he discussed how much he loves the big moments.
For Patterson, his hurt factor is power, creativity, dare and kicking. He has the strength and acceleration to hit a pack with ridiculous velocity and step his way through traffic with ease. He sees the game in a way that can't be taught, looking to open up angles and use his run and lethal right foot in ways most players wouldn't dream of, let alone trying to pull off in a game.
A Gaelic-style kick up to himself in an AFL Academy game earlier in the year entirely sums up Patterson's creativity. He also has a way of buying himself time just as he's about to kick, which gives him great effectiveness.
His raw efficiency numbers may not be as high as some others, but that's because he's consistently looking to pull off inside 45 kicks and taking daring options.
If you know one thing when Patterson gets the ball, it's that the game is going to open up one way or another, as that's his way, and it's why he has the capacity to bring people through the turnstiles and be the poster boy for Gold Coast footy.
As for his best position, it's really hard to say. He comes from a rugby league background, so absolutely thrives on the physicality, indicating he could be a real point-of-difference in Gold Coast's midfield in time. Off halfback, his courageous marking, bold decision-making and kicking slices teams open, and there's no reason he couldn't open teams up playing in the attacking third of the ground.
Expect a bid to come for Patterson inside the top five of the draft quite comfortably. The only reason he isn't being discussed as a true Pick 1 contender is that he's tied to the Suns Academy. He's every bit as talented as Pick 1 chances Cooper Duff-Tytler, Willem Duursma and his Academy teammate Zeke Uwland due to his enormous ceiling.
| 3 RANK |  | Dylan Patterson Gold Coast Academy Utility HEIGHT: 183cm | â–¶+ |
Strengths
Kicking
Athleticism
Physicality
Draft Range
Picks 2-5
Potential Landing Spots
Gold Coast (Matched Bid)
