Lost year a spur for AA ruck

THE pain of missing an AFL season through suspension is driving Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder’s career-best year.

Ryder has won AllAustralian selection in a triumphant return after being among current and former Essendon players who were banned last year.

“Last year when I didn’t have footy I realised just how much I loved being in the AFL system, how much footy means to me,” he said yesterday.

“I just wanted to get back and prove to everyone who has always supported me that, yeah, I am capable of playing at a really high level.”

Ryder said his ban led to introspection. “There were tough times,” he said.

“But towards the end, I had a long time to prepare myself and think about what I was going to do this season.

“I have done that in the best way I can.

“It’s a pretty proud moment for myself and my family.”

Ryder said an AllAustralian jumper could not have been further from his mind after his comeback game — a Port internal trial.

“I remember going home after that game and I had a lot of doubts,” he said. “I hardly touched the ball that day.

“I started to doubt myself but once I got back into the swing of things . . . I got back into the speed of the game, once I picked that up, I started to flow.”

Ryder pipped Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs and Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer for the AllAustralian ruck spot.

“Statistically I probably don’t have the numbers that stack up with some of the other ruckmen,” he said.

“But I have been able to impact games without getting 20-plus possessions, that is the key to myself getting the nod.”