Matthew Ryan (Australian rules footballer)

Matthew Ryan (born 2 June 1967) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood, the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Bears in the Victorian/Australian Football League (AFL).

Matthew Ryan
Personal information
Full name Matthew Ryan
Date of birth (1967-06-02) 2 June 1967
Original team(s) Eltham (DVFL)
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 73 kg (161 lb)
Position(s) Rover
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1985–1989 Collingwood 45 (44)
1990 Sydney Swans 10 0(8)
1991–1992 Brisbane Bears 18 0(8)
Total 73 (60)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1992.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Ryan, who was originally from Eltham, played just five games in his first two seasons but then had his best year in 1987. A rover, he amassed a club high 478 disposals, at just under 24 a game and was Collingwood's second best goal-kicker behind Brian Taylor with 28 goals.[1] He also finished runner-up in the Copeland Trophy and was his club's best performer at the Brownlow Medal, securing nine votes.[2] The following season he was again a regular fixture in the team, playing 18 games, including a semi final.[1]

Collingwood traded Ryan to the Sydney Swans at the end of the 1989 season, in return for draft picks 22 and 82, which were used on Mathew Hanrahan and Troy Lehmann. His Sydney debut in 1990 was against his former club and he performed well with 25 disposals and three goals.[1] After just one year in Sydney he again changed clubs, this time to the Brisbane Bears through the pre-season draft. He also averaged 21 disposals a game in 1991 but struggled to hold a place in the side the next year.[1]

References
  1. AFL Tables: Matthew Ryan
  2. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
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