Wes Patten


Wes Patten is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played for the Balmain Tigers, Gold Coast Chargers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Patten primarily played at half-back.

Playing career

Patten made his first grade debut for Balmain in Round 22 1993 against Parramatta. In 1995, Balmain changed their name to the "Sydney Tigers" at the start of the Super League war and moved their home games to Parramatta Stadium. Patten became a regular starter for the team in 1996 before departing at the end of the season to join the Gold Coast.
In his first year at the Gold Coast, Patten played 24 matches as the club reached their first ever finals series. Patten played in both finals games, a 25–14 victory over Illawarra and a 32–10 loss against Eastern Suburbs.
The following year, Patten played in the Gold Coast's final ever game as a club which was a 20–18 loss against Cronulla-Sutherland. In 1999, Patten joined South Sydney and played in the club's final season before they were controversially excluded from the competition. In 2000, Patten joined St George and played 1 season with them before retiring at the end of the season.

Post playing

Patten now works as a reporter and sideline host for the Barefoot Rugby League Show on National Indigenous Television. Prior to this, he guested in Australian soap opera Home and Away in 1993 as student Kevin Baker and also acted in the Australian television show Heartland.
Patten was allegedly involved in a home invasion but was acquitted. He is the cousin of Anthony Mundine.