There are few, if any, more watchable players in the competition and, scarily for opposition defences, Ryan is just getting better and better. Across his three seasons in the AFL, the 24-year-old has taken his game to another level, adding pieces to become a more rounded forward who can still take the jaw-dropping high marks but is increasingly dangerous at ground level, remarkably selfless and deadly in front of the big sticks. Ryan’s 26 goals from 18 games this year came at a career-best rate of nearly 1.5 per game, and he would have easily eclipsed last year’s tally of 30 majors if not for the shortened game time and truncated season. His finish to 2020, when he slotted 15 goals in the last eight matches, was sublime and he deservedly received a maiden All Australian blazer, with big things still to come.
Standout performance: Ryan flying over the Bombers
With spearhead Josh Kennedy (concussion) and hard-working small forward Jamie Cripps (personal) out of the line-up, Ryan delivered a special display right when West Coast needed it most in the gritty round 14 win over Essendon at the Gabba. Playing deep in attack – a role where he made his name playing during his dominant days at Subiaco – the high-flying Eagle was the difference between the sides with an equal career-high four goals in the 15-point triumph. Five of Ryan’s eight marks for the night were taken inside the attacking 50m arc as he sliced apart the Bombers defence, including the first from the opening centre clearance to get the Eagles off to a perfect start. His fourth major on the three-quarter time siren handed West Coast just enough breathing space to hold on for victory in their third game in nine days.
Season averages:
Disposals – 10.8
Score Involvements – 5.6
Marks – 3.7
Tackles – 1.8
Goals – 1.4
2020 AFL statistical rankings:
6th: Score involvements
9th: Shots at goal
