25 Facts About Paddy Ryder

Patrick Ryder was born on 14 March 1988 and is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda Football Clubs in the Australian Football League.

Paddy Ryder was noted for his speed, agility and leap for someone of his size and it was these attributes that had his first AFL coach in Kevin Sheedy comparing him to Indigenous Australian rules football star Graham "Polly" Farmer.

Paddy Ryder is of Noongar heritage and was raised in Geraldton, Western Australia.

Paddy Ryder began playing junior football with the Rover Football Club at Greenough Oval.

Paddy Ryder was part of the AFL under-18 All-Australian team and represented Australia in the under-18 international rules in Ireland.

Paddy Ryder made his debut in round 1,2006, against Sydney, playing in the ruck and receiving his first AFL career possession after he caught Swans premiership player Amon Buchanan holding the ball and won a free kick.

Paddy Ryder was awarded a NAB Rising Star nomination for his efforts in round 1,2007.

Paddy Ryder won the Anzac Medal in 2009 after teammate David Hille was injured in the opening minutes of the game, resulting in Ryder rucking unassisted for the rest of the game.

Paddy Ryder played his 100th AFL game in round 6,2011, in a match where Essendon defeated the Gold Coast Suns by 139 points.

Paddy Ryder's improved form in the second half of the 2013 season after struggling with poor output and low confidence saw him play a big role in Essendon's push to the finals.

Paddy Ryder played mainly in the ruck, where his tap-work was crucial, and played forward and in defence.

Paddy Ryder remained a vital part of the Essendon outfit, firstly as a ruckman and then as an option as he pushed forward with his pace and high-marking ability.

Paddy Ryder had a solid start to 2014, including a two-goal performance in round 9 against Sydney.

Paddy Ryder and his wife Jess were concerned for the health of their unborn child after he was allegedly told of the potential risks of the supplements program when interviewed by ASADA.

Paddy Ryder's manager suggested that Paddy Ryder would consider retirement over returning to Essendon if a trade was blocked by the club.

Paddy Ryder played in 18 games for the Power, which included games where he kicked three goals in both showdowns and a four goals against his former club Essendon.

Paddy Ryder was suspended for two years which, with backdating, ended in November 2016; as a result, he served approximately 14 months of his suspension and missed the entire 2016 AFL season.

Paddy Ryder played his 200th AFL game in round 14, in which Port Adelaide defeated Collingwood by 31 points at the MCG.

The trade was finalised on 15 October and Paddy Ryder was traded to St Kilda along with Port Adelaide teammate Dougal Howard and pick 10 and a 2020 fourth-round selection, in return for the Saints' picks 12 and 18 and a 2020 third-round selection.

Paddy Ryder nominated to join St Kilda ahead of his former club Essendon.

Paddy Ryder chose to leave Port Adelaide due to a perceived lack of opportunity in the ruck division at the Power.

Paddy Ryder played 14 of a possible 19 games for the Saints in the 2020 season.

Paddy Ryder played a significant role in the winning elimination final against Western Bulldogs, but an injury sustained in the game ended his season.

Paddy Ryder had a solid game in round 16 against Collingwood and champion Brodie Grundy, collecting 23 hitouts and kicking two goals.

Paddy Ryder had previously left the club following the supplements saga.