Eagle Flying Ryan says car crash changed his life

WEST Coast goalsneak Liam Ryan is confident he has turned his life around, saying his early-morning car crash in July was a big wake-up call.

Ryan looms as a crucial cog in West Coast’s premiership bid after a strong performance in the qualifying final win over Collingwood.

The man known as Flyin’ Ryan collected 15 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals in the win.

It took his tally to 10 goals in his past five matches, with his blitzing pace and amazing leap keys to his success.

But Ryan’s career was on shaky ground two months ago, when he crashed his car into a tree.

He had breached the team’s alcohol policy the night before and was given a two-match club-imposed ban.

The crash highlighted the need for West Coast to provide Ryan with more support, and the 179cm forward has benefited from that.

Ryan said he had worked hard to turn his life around with support from teammates Lewis Jetta and Josh Kennedy.

“That car crash really straightened me up,” he said. “I really had a lot of support from the boys, mainly Jetts and mainly JK, because he’s from the same area as me.

“I had a bit of stuff going on off the field. But now I’m fine, I’m all cleared with all that.”

Ryan, from Geraldton, 415km north of Perth. said he had struggled being away from home.

“But I’m loving life at the moment,” he said.

Ryan revealed he was plagued by nerves leading into his first final.