After taking a long road into the AFL, defender Luke Ryan has taken a quick route to stardom with the 24-year-old named in the back pocket of the 2020 All Australian team.
Taken as a mature age selection from the Coburg Lions in the 2016 National Draft, Ryan was a steal going in the fourth round at no.66.
Ryan quickly rose to prominence at Fremantle but his outstanding fourth season in the AFL has seen his efforts recognised on a national level.
“Obviously it’s a pretty special feeling,” Ryan said.
“I didn’t really expect it at all to be honest, to be called out, it was a really special feeling for my family and friends. It’s a great feeling.”
Standing at 186cm, Ryan took the helm of an injury-hit backline throughout the season, with the likes of Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Griffin Logue out for all, or most of, the season.
As well as shutting down the opposition’s tallest opponents, Ryan continued to provide his usual rebound with an AFL-leading 113 rebound 50s - 17 more than any other AFL player.
He was also one of Fremantle’s best ball users by foot with a kicking efficiency of 83.3 per cent and his rebound led to an average of 409 metres gained, which led Freo and ranked seventh in the AFL.
Usually an intercepting defender in a full strength backline, Ryan was still able to cut off the opposition’s forward advances with 37 intercept marks, also ranking seventh in the AFL.
Ryan wished he could share the award with his fellow defenders, playing alongside the likes of Brennan Cox, Taylin Duman, Ethan Hughes, Nathan Wilson, Reece Conca, Stephen Hill and Tobe Watson for most of the season.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s an award for all of us, really,” Ryan said.
“The work that they put has helped me out so much. The support they’ve given me, just keeping me up and about, talking on the field, it just gives you a whole lot more confidence and I couldn’t be prouder of the backline group.
“The first couple of times (playing as a key defender) I was very nervous. They (Ryan’s opponents) were a whole lot bigger, 20 kilos heavier sometimes, so it was a big challenge but I enjoyed every bit of it.
“As I played that role more every week it was a lot better and obviously the back six helped me out a lot and that made my job a whole lot easier.”
Ryan praised teammates Matt Taberner and Nat Fyfe, who were named in the 40-man All Australian squad but didn’t earn selection in the final team.
“Tabs has played consistent and good footy. It’s just great for us and he’s going to be even bigger and better next year. That’s really exciting for us” Ryan said.
“With him playing every game and taking those big marks, I know he gives me and a lot of defenders a lot of confidence on the rebound. He’s really exiting.
“Fyfey is just Fyfey. He hasn’t got much credit for what he’s done this year but what he did for the team was unbelievable.
“He’s letting the younger guys go through there, Andy Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong, and him going down forward and taking the big marks and kicking goals, doing what he does best.
“It’s another outstanding year form the skipper.”
