West Coast’s human highlight reel delivered some of the club’s most memorable moments in 2019. There was that spectacular mark over Melbourne goliath Max Gawn in round nine and another eye-boggling grab – this time going back with the flight – against Carlton in round 20. But it was the evolution of Ryan’s game as a whole that was most impressive this year. The Geraldton product proved he was much more than a stay at home forward in 2019 by taking his defensive pressure to a new level. He set the tone in our round three grand final rematch versus Geelong, recording a club-record 28 pressure acts, and maintained that effort throughout the campaign.
Standout performance: A day out against the Blues
Ryan was West Coast’s superhero at Marvel Stadium against Carlton. He got the Eagles going with their first goal of the game and was a constant threat up forward. And in the second quarter, he provided one of the highlights of the year. Ryan sprinted back with the flight of the ball, launched his slender 72kg frame at a pack of four oncoming players and clunked the Sherrin before careering into Carlton’s Lachie Plowman and teammate Jack Darling. He capped off the spectacular grab by slotting his ensuing set shot from 30 metres out. Ryan finished the contest with 16 disposals, five inside 50s, four goals, four marks and three tackles.
Season averages:
Disposals: 11.7
Contested possessions: 6.2
Score involvements: 4.9
Marks: 3.0
Inside 50s: 2.8
Tackles: 2.1
Goals: 1.2
2019 AFL statistical rankings:
9th: Total goal assists
