Career
Affectionately known as the "Swamp Fox", Patterson was a premiership ruckman with the Football Club in 1967, and also captain/coach of the 1972 Australian Champions, the Football Club. Patterson returned home to Punt Road Oval in his final position as senior VFL coach of the Football Club for the 1984 season. In 1972 he also led to national triumph in the Australian Championship, sealed with a 1-point victory over the Carlton Football Club.
After 1973 he retired as a player after a career of 18 years but remained as "s coach until 1977.
He returned to the VFL as coach of from 1978 until Round 2 of 1980. collected the wooden spoon for the third time in three years in 1979. Former player and trucking millionaire Lindsay Fox had been brought into the club, as president, in 1979.
One of his actions was to facilitate the signing of high profile Alex Jesaulenko as an on-field player only. However this placed great pressure on Patterson"s position as Jesaulenko had an established record as a captain-coach, having the year previously led Carlton to premiership victory.
Fox declared this indicated a lack of discipline that could no longer be tolerated.
Patterson was sacked immediately for Jesaulenko. Patterson went on to coach the in the VFA from 1981 to 1983.