Career
Patman was already 27 when he started his VFL career at Fitzroy, where he came to from East Geelong. Playing mostly as a follower, Patman spent the 1944 and 1945 seasons with Geelong and didn"t miss a single game either year. In 1945 he played well enough to finish second, to Jim Fitzgerald, in Geelong"s best and fairest count.
He joined Wimmera Football League club Nhill in 1946, as coach.
During the 1950 season, Patman kicked 13 goals in a game against Rupanyup, just three short of Bill Smeaton"s league record.
