PORT ADELAIDE co-captain Tom Jonas has used a speech at the club’s annual best and fairest event to farewell five of his teammates who’ll be departing the club.
Jonas paid special tribute to Paddy Ryder, who took home the John Cahill Medal as best and fairest at the same event in 2017.
After being drafted by Essendon and playing some incredible football for the Bombers, Ryder arrived at Alberton in the trade period at the end of 2014.
His 2019 season yielded 17 AFL games and 15 goals to go with three matches in the SANFL, seeing him leave the club after 73 games in the black, white, silver and teal to make it 243 overall in the AFL.
Ryder was one of five departing players thanked at the club best and fairest event on Friday night, along with delisted AFL players Jack Trengove, Cam Hewett and Kai Pudney, and Billy Frampton who has asked to be traded to another club.
“Paddy you’ve been great to have around the group, you’ve been like a big brother to the brothers and some of the young players on the list,” said Jonas during the John Cahill Medal presentation at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.
“It’s been a tough journey for you but I’m hoping you’ve had some great memories here at Port Adelaide… and some great friends, and I’m sure you’ll take them back to Melbourne.”
“Jack, you’re one of the best blokes I’ve ever met.
“You’re an absolute professional and you’ve been fantastic for the whole playing group, whether that’s shooting the lights out and maybe didn’t get into the AFL side or whether it’s with Ollie, me and Hamish sharing your experience of leadership meetings. You’ve been absolutely massive for this group and we wish you good luck with everything.
The Power co-captain said Cam Hewett was quiet but popular and always put the team first, while Billy Frampton was a great character who was just developing into a quality footballer.
He said he looked forward to lining up against him in 2020.
Jonas described Pudney as a “super athlete” and a “homegrown boy” who would be missed in pre-season because of his elite running ability.
Jonas said it was a tough time for the playing group given the contributions the departing players had made.
“We spend every day with them, we train with them, we go to cafes with them. We have great memories and some of them become your best mates.
“But at Port Adelaide, if you’re here for a day, a week or ten years, once you’re a Port Adelaide player, you’re part of the Port Adelaide family for life."
2019 DEPARTING PLAYERS
Paddy Ryder
AFL games: 73 for Port Adelaide between 2015-2019 (243 overall)
AFL goals: 54 for Port Adelaide between 2015-2019 (171 overall)
John Cahill Medal as best and fairest 2017
All Australian - 2017
Jack Trengove
AFL games: 3 for Port Adelaide between 2018-2019 (89 overall)
SANFL games: 29 between 2018-2019
SANFL goals – 17 between 2018-2019
Anthony Williams Memorial Trophy 2018 (most courageous SANFL player)
SANFL Runner up Best and Fairest 2018
Cam Hewett
SANFL games: 64 between 2017-2019)
SANFL goals: 7 between 2017-2019
Kai Pudney
SANFL games: 15 in 2019
Billy Frampton
AFL games: 3
AFL goals: 4
SANFL games: 66
SANFL goals: 59
SANFL leading goal kicker 2019 (34 goals)
