AS A development officer in Victorian cricket, one of Adam Pattison's key roles is to increase the participation numbers of children aged five to 12, something the summer sport has struggled with in recent years.
It's a job he enjoys, but it's participation of another kind that has given the former Tiger and Saint a shot of Christmas cheer.
Pattison, 25, was one of four draftees taken by Hawthorn in the rookie draft, giving the ruckman and key-position hopeful a third chance at forging a successful AFL career. The Hawks had expressed interest in him in late 2009 but he ultimately wound up at St Kilda. ''Hopefully my best footy is ahead of me,'' Pattison said. ''I can add a bit of depth to the talls, probably have the flexibility to play ruck and forward, and even potentially back.''
Pattison enjoyed his stint with the Box Hill Hawks last season, and had resigned himself to a life outside of the AFL.
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Last Modified on 13/01/2012 14:32