The 2020 All-Australian was among the Eagles who were struck down by more than one injury setback this year, but he remained a dangerous threat around goals with 24 majors in 14 games.
Ryan pulled up with shin soreness from training before the round five win over Collingwood and missed the next five matches with a bone stress issue.
It didn’t take him long to get back to his best upon his return, with his brilliant four-goal effort against Carlton at the SCG helping to inspire an inexperienced Eagles line-up to a morale-boosting victory.
A frustrating hamstring setback early in the round 19 win over St Kilda as he kicked West Coast’s second goal then sidelined the speedster for a couple of weeks.
Ryan was back for two vital games to finish the season, although his impressive pair of three-goal performances against Fremantle and Brisbane wasn’t enough as the Eagles missed finals.
Standout performance: A blinder against the Blues
Missing a host of big names, including twin towers Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen in attack, the Eagles needed something special at the SCG and Ryan delivered.
It was the full gamut from ‘Flyin’ Ryan’, who not only booted an equal career-high four goals, but pulled down a personal best four contested marks – including a ‘speccy’ in the third stanza.
The electrifying Eagle finished with 17 disposals, 10 contested possessions, nine marks and six inside 50s in a stunning performance in a win to savour for the young Eagles.
Season averages:
Disposals – 10.3
Inside 50s – 2.8
Score involvements – 5.1
Goals – 1.7
Marks inside 50 – 1.6
