[1] He also founded his own legal firm, McDonald Patafta & Associates Lawyers, with offices in Singapore, Laos and Belgium.

[3] Patafta previously played as a midfielder for Benfica, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Khon Kaen United F.C.

[9] Patafta joined Benfica B squad as a 16-year-old having impressed at international youth level, however, initially his transfer was blocked by Football Federation Australia as he was under the age of 18.

On 11 January 2008, Patafta scored his first A-League goal with a left-foot shot from a tight angle in the 88th minute of a 3–0 home victory against Wellington Phoenix.

[10][11] In May 2008, Patafta secured a release from the remainder of his contract with Benfica with the assistance of the Australian Professional Footballers' Association.

[20] Patafta set up a goal in Australia's 2–2 draw with Peru when his free kick was played in from near the corner and headed in by Jamie Cumming.

Australia finished in second spot of their respective group after losing to China (1–0) and defeating Thailand (3–1) and the United Arab Emirates (2–0).

Patafta was included as part of Australia's "train-on" squad before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, along with fellow promising young Australian players Kristian Sarkies and Neil Kilkenny.

[27] However, he was not called up to the side due to a government policy preventing players with multiple citizenship from representing the national team.

The academy offers youth players in Canberra a professional training environment and pathways to elite level football.