PORT ADELAIDE'S Paddy Ryder has issued a warning to rival ruckmen that he can improve on last year’s All-Australian season.
Ryder, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday, capped a remarkable comeback from a 12-month ban by winning the John Cahill Medal and All-Australian honours for the first time.
The 197 centimetre 210 game big man said he was eager to back-up his career-best season and increase his tally of 11 goals when the Power gets its season underway against Fremantle on March 24.
“This time last year there were a few doubts coming back into footy but I was in good shape then and I’m in good shape now,” Ryder said on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there with the boys in Round 1.
“I’m always looking to improve on my game but I had a pretty good year last year, so I just need to make a few changes and continue that output.
Ryder said he didn’t want to give too many secrets away, but an ability to impact the scoreboard more in 2018 is a real focus for him.
“Hitting the scoreboard more often is really important,” he said.
“The guys and the coaches have confidence in the way I kick the ball, so hopefully I can ease the pressure on Charlie and the boys up forward a bit.”
Ryder had a good test against another of the league’s best big men, Sam Jacobs, in last Saturday’s final JLT Community Series match against Adelaide.
He finished with 11 possessions, 36
“It was a bit of a tale of two halves in terms of the game and in playing against Sauce,” Ryder said.
“I think in the first half he got a little bit of the ball and I was trying to work him out a bit but in the
“You always want to play against the best and always strive to beat the best so I love those sorts of challenges.”
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