Injury opens way for Ryder in the middlePATRICK RYDER would not have been immediately aware what his fellow ruckman David Hille's injury in the opening minutes of Saturday's epic Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood would mean for him that afternoon, and now for the rest of the season.
He would have gotten an inkling, however, when the Bombers' runner rushed out to him and directed him to play in the ruck and stay there.
History shows the laconic key-position player took to the task with aplomb and played a major role in Essendon's come-from-behind win with stats that would make your eyes water: 16 possessions, 27 hit-outs, 1 goal and 13 tackles.
It earnt Ryder football's Anzac Day Medal as best-on-ground in the iconic fixture, joining team-mate Andrew Lovett (2005) as Indigenous players to have won the award, now coveted just behind an AFL premiership, Norm Smith and Brownlow medal.
Hille's injury in the opening minutes of the match has now been confirmed as season-ending, which means Ryder may have to move away from his customary role in defence and into the middle on a more permanent basis. And his efforts on Saturday has given the Bombers' brains trust much cause for optimism.
Certainly, coach Matthew Knights is feeling that way.
"Out of a difficult situation came an opportunity for a young man to realise that he had to take the game by the scruff of the neck," Knights said of Ryder. "What I've been crying out for, and (what) the team's been crying out for, is when he got the ball he actually took the game on.
"He's such a quiet, laconic young man that we've found it difficult to get that out of him, but I think the moment and the day forced it out of him. Now that he's got that belief I think he should be able to take it a bit further."
Equally advantageous for the Bombers is their use of Ryder in defence has meant he now has developed an acute defensive mind-set.
"The advantage that we saw in playing Patrick in defence for two or three years until his body matured was he is very defensive-minded (now)," Knights said. "Therefore, he's going to be very good at spoiling and tackling so that gives him the opportunity when he's in the ruck to have (a) really good defensive focus."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Last Modified on 28/04/2009 22:40