This weekend the Club celebrates Pat Witt’s 200th open-age game for the Pennant Hills Demons.
Pat is unarguably Pennant Hill’s most experienced, successful and decorated reserve grade player at Penno. In the reserve grade competition (variously known as Premier Division Reserves and/or Division One), he has won every major award at club and league levels, including the Snow Medal twice (2018 & 2023), Pennant Hills Footballer of the Year, Best & Fairest three times and runner-up B&F twice. This is a remarkable record of achievement.
A local junior, Pat joined Westbrook Bulldogs in 1998 when he was five years old. He played for 10 seasons, amassing 152 games and kicking 67 goals. He won two premierships at the junior club, played Northwest representative footy and in his early years was doubling up for two games each weekend, playing-up in higher age groups. He also had a passion for rugby union and as a teenager he played both codes, back-to-back, morning and afternoon, each weekend.
Pat has a reputation as one of the ‘hard men’ at the Senior Club, as he plays a very aggressive and physical style of footy, no doubt a legacy of his rugby playing days and following the example set by his brother, Dan, one of the club’s hardest players in recent times. Of Pat’s footy style and talents, his junior coaches aptly captured his essence:
“Patty is fearless in defence and respected by his opposition for his big side-step and strong tackling. His strength and attack on the ball is second to none and his rugby background enables him to elude the opposition with his fancy footwork … he is most effective when playing behind the ball or across the centre, for his muscle around the stoppages and running through the lines.”
“Perhaps best remembered for running through a gyprock banner to celebrate his 100th game for Westbrook. Tougher than a Tonka Truck! Patty epitomises the Bulldogs (and Demons) spirit and throws himself at the footy without fear or compromise, charging through anyone in his way. His fitness and ‘never-say-die’ attitude are an inspiration to the whole team.”
At age 16, Pat joined the Senior Club in 2009, playing four games for the Under 18s that year. His rugby career briefly took him away from footy, however, he returned to the Demons in 2011 and played a full season in the Under 18s.
Pat also got his first taste of open-age footy, debuting with the Division One side during 2011, ‘under excellent coaching from his dear friend, Jason Clarke.' From 2012, Pat was a regular member of the Reserves where he has played the majority of his footy at Pennant Hills. After starting in the backs, he is now a defensive midfielder, running through the middle where he is at his creative best.
Throughout his career at Penno Pat has been one of the best players running around in the reserves and he has been constantly knocking on the door for first grade selection. His consistency and ability were eventually rewarded with four first grade appearances in 2015. His first grade debut was against St George Dragons in Round 1, 2015 at Mike Kenny Oval. He wore jumper #19, presented to him by Club Legend, Gus McKernan. Penno won that day by 29 points. For Pat, this was a particularly special moment, as he at last got the opportunity to play with his older brother, Dan, in the Club’s top side. Since then, Pat played a smattering of first grade games as a top-up for the senior side, and settled in to the Reserve Grade side as a key player and leader of the Seconds.
Things changed in 2019 when he played a full season in Premier Division. Since then, he has played where he is most needed, either in Prems or Reserves. Shuffling between teams from week to week is not ideal, however, Pat has always accepted this situation with grace and without complaint. He is a consummate team player and clubman. In 2025, he brings his enormous experience and excellent leadership to a new generation of young Penno players aspiring to play top grade footy.
As to leadership, Pat has few peers. He was the reserve’s vice-captain in 2016. In 2017 he was elevated to co-captain with Jake Gunstone and they shared this role again in the 2018 premiership year. He was captain again in 2023 and co-captain in 2024.
Pat was a member of the Division One team that competed in the 2015 Grand Final. With a fickle breeze blowing at their backs, Penno kicked 2 goals, 4 behinds to Sydney University’s 2 behinds in the last quarter to come up short by a solitary point. It was a thrilling but frustrating spectacle and oh, what agony at the end! It was definitely “the one that got away”. For Pat this was a ‘devastating’ loss, one he’d prefer to forget!
Pat was captain of the 2018 Premier Division Reserves premiership side. This premiership was particularly significant for the club’s reserve grade, as it marked the end of 22 years of finals frustration, including 7 losing Grand Finals since 1996. The 2018 flag was the high point for Pat’s career at the time. A close second, winning his second Snow Medal in 2023.
Pat is a good bloke and a great clubman. He plays with passion and determination and can always be relied on to give 100%. On-field he’s a force to be reckoned with and never shirks a contest or a confrontation. Around the club he’s a popular character and well liked. We wish him the best of luck in his milestone match this weekend.
