Lethlean: Ryder to play on at Saints

ST KILDA ruckman Paddy Ryder will “absolutely” play on next season, according to the club’s chief operating officer Simon Lethlean, as the injured ruckman prepares to undergo hamstring tendon surgery on Thursday.

Ryder, 32, was the heartache story of St Kilda’s first finals win in a decade after suffering the injury in the dying minutes of the club’s nail biting elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs.

He was best afield, having played such an important role in what was his first finals victory in his 257-game career.

“(Ryder) is headed back (to Melbourne) … he is having an operation on Thursday to repair a tear in his tendon,” Lethlean said on SEN. “It’s a bit like (the) Dan Hannebery (injury) … same surgeon and probably the same sort of recovery period. He will be laid up for a bit.”

Asked if f Ryder would return in 2021 for the final year of his current deal with the Saints, Lethlean said: “Absolutely.” “What did Hanners do, an eight-week turnaround … so he (Ryder) will have a chance now to rehab it before he starts the pre-season program.

“His intention is to play again and he has shown he is as good as all (the other ruckmen), maybe other than (Nic) Naitanui. He was as influential as ever, Paddy.”

Lethlean said the club had great faith in Rowan Marshall, who rucked solo for the Saints when the club knocked off their semi-final opponent Richmond in Round 4.

“We would have loved Paddy to be there, but Marshall has rucked by himself (against Richmond) earlier in the year, that will be OK,” Lethlean said.

He said Ryder was devastated by the injury, but would come back with even more motivation in 2021.

“He walked to the bench with a minute and 20 (seconds) to go and he slammed his fist into the bench, (so) you knew what that meant for him and for the club too,” he said.