PADDY RYDER is readying for his return to Alberton in less than 90 days when the final stages of his Court of Arbitration for Sport-imposed ban begins to lift.
Officially, both Monfries and Ryder cannot participate in any sanctioned AFL game until November 13, however both are permitted to return to Port Adelaide two months prior to that date.
It’s been a tough few months for Ryder, who was ruled out of the 2016 season as part of the Essendon supplements saga which also saw 33 other past and present Bombers handed bans.
For Ryder, the initial stages were about coming to terms with the suspension, however he now describes himself as being “in a really good place.”
“I felt really numb afterwards, I really didn’t know how to process it at first,” Ryder told Triple M Adelaide.
“After I sat down with Gussy and Ken I came home and told my family, and we sat down at tried to process it.
“Footy’s been such a big part of our lives that when I told them that we wouldn’t be playing footy and going to football for the year, it was a bit of a shock to them.”
Ryder has been training away from Alberton in preparation for the Power’s next pre-season.
He is under contract for 2017, and along with Monfries – who Ken Hinkley says is in-line to have his contract renewed for next season – aims to hit the ground running.
“Things are a lot clearer now… I’ve been through stages throughout the ban,” Ryder said.
“But it’s just around the corner for me now - returning to the club - and the past couple of weeks I’ve been training really hard and getting back into really good shape now.
“It’s been a really frustrating for me, getting through this year to be honest, [but] I’m in a pretty good headspace right now, and I can’t wait to get back with the boys to the club.”
Port Adelaide has provided support to the Ryder’s in transitioning for life away from football in line with the Court of Arbitration’s ban guidelines, however most of the support Ryder has received has come from his family and teammates in their capacity as private citizens.
Despite the turmoil of the past six months, Ryder is enthusiastic about returning to work, and making Alberton his permanent home.
“When I first got there [to live in Adelaide] I fell in love with the place straight away, all I want to do is come back and get into the club and play some great footy and train the house down,” Ryder said.
“I’ve had one year to get to know them all as people mostly, and footballers, I just miss that.
“I’ve always wanted to go back to WA, and after living in Adelaide for a year - [now] a year-and-a-half - I don’t think I’d even go back to WA now.”
