Toast #235 Liam Ryan (2018 - 2025)

[kane249]

Details
Number
Height 184cm
Weight 79kg
DOB 2-10-1996
Debut Round 1 Vs Sydney at Optus Oval 2018
Goals 158
Games 125

Player honours: AFL Premiership Player 2018, All-Australian 2020, AFL Mark of the year 2019, AFL 22under22 team 2019

Draft History: 2017 National Draft pick 26

 

[kane249]

 

[kane249]

 

[kane249]

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

These are all cool

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

The King had his first training session today. There's only 1 picture so far but word is he was interviewed for the news, so we'll get that later.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Captain Shannon Hurn on Liam

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Best player, Nic Naitanui, on Liam

 

[The Barista]

Denintly

Definitely can't wait to see this kid fly

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Ryan named on an extended bench for round 1. If he debuts as expected, he'll be the 235th Eagle (236th if Ainsworth plays), the seventh player to wear the #1 guernsey (after Mitchell, Brown, Gardiner, Heady, Pyke and Wally Matera) and the second Liam (the first Liam will be playing alongside him, sadly Liam Bedford was unable to join them in making the AFL).

He'll also be one of a large number of Great Northern Football League products to have played for the Eagles including Josh Kennedy, Jamie Cripps, Daniel Chick, Murray Wrensted and the late great Chris Mainwaring.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Here's a little bit of Liam from yesterdays final!

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Here's a good one of the boys

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

This is brilliant.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Players who've won a premiership in their first year at the club:

Paul Harding (1992)
Liam Ryan (2018)

End list.

 

[kane249]

OP photo and details updated

Also happy birthday!

 

[TY24]

How good is this drawing?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[LittleFires]

Three rounds in, I'm pretty happy with my choice to have sponsored Liam this season. He looks as fit as ever, is covering the ground well and looks engaged throughout the game.

I must admit though I was a little concerned when news came out that Ryan was experiencing "hamstring awareness" following the preseason scratchy against North - especially considering his history, and my disastrous past sponsorships (see Jamaine Jones, 2024 and Harry Edwards, 2023). Thankfully he only missed that woeful Round 1 performance against the Suns, and the setback hasn't appeared to dent the confidence he has in his body.


Round 2 vs Brisbane: 16 disposals, 6 ground ball gets, 6 score involvements, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3.1

This was a terrific first-up effort for Ryan against the premiership-winning Lions defence, and as mentioned, it didn't look like he'd missed a beat. Three goals from 16 disposals made him the highest-rated player on the ground (according to AFL Player Ratings), and some of the set shots he slotted were sublime. Pushed up the ground as well and used his foot skills to help move the ball for us. Great signs from Ryan to start the season.


Round 3 vs Fremantle: 10 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 4 score involvements, 4 ground ball gets, 3 marks, 1.0

A less prolific performance this week, though Ryan still managed to be in our best handful of players despite the side only registering 37 inside 50s. Kicked a terrific running goal in the first term to get us going, and worked hard up the field to provide an option. Was thrown into the midfield a couple of times late in the game but didn't have much influence in there.


As I've said before, I think Ryan will prove to be a valuable member of the side in the coming years as we continue to build our new gameplan under McQualter. I have faith the team will eventually lift into a better patch of form this year, and in those periods I think we'll really see Ryan get going again.

 

[LittleFires]

The last few weeks have been a bit of a mixed bag for Liam, but overall he's continued to impress this season and he looks as fit and engaged as ever despite the team's poor form.



Round 4 vs GWS:

Flyin' missed this game after falling ill during the week.


Round 5 vs Carlton: 12 disposals, 6 score involvements, 5 ground ball gets, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2.2

On a dismal day against the Blues, Ryan was a shining for us and quite clearly our best player on the day. He worked hard up and down the ground all day, producing several inspiring chasing efforts that should've been team-lifters if we weren't so damn poor. A little wayward in front of goal but still booted 2 goals and had 4 shots on goal, in a game where we only had 35 inside 50s.


Round 6 vs Essendon: 11 disposals, 6 score involvements, 5 marks, 5 shots on goal, 0.2

This is probably a game Liam will want to forget. Not that he was that bad, but it was a bit of an 'almost' day for him, going goalless despite having 5 shots on goal. Made a meal of a crucial moment late where he inexplicably played on after taking a mark inside 50, 30 metres out from goal. Maybe he didn't hear the umpire blow his whistle? Who knows. But this one is in the rear view mirror now, onwards and upwards for Liam.