HALFWAY across the world, Bodie Ryan realised his next chapter in football would be in red and blue.
The defender’s move to Melbourne came together quickly while he was in Europe with friends from Hawthorn, but he’s wasted no time getting excited about what lies ahead.
“Yeah, it’s been a pretty quick turnaround, to be honest,” Ryan said.
“It’s a bloody good feeling and I’m so excited to continue my AFL journey. I’m so grateful that Melbourne were able to pick me up late in the trade period.”
Coming into the club for the first time to meet some of his new teammates, Ryan says captain Max Gawn is among those he is looking forward to getting to know.
“Obviously the captain, Max Gawn, would be nice to meet, finally. And then the likes of Jake Lever, Kade Chandler and Harry Sharp as well,” he said.
“Jake Lever’s been nice on the text messages so far, and we’ve had a good chat. I’m really lucky to have some good support already.”
The 21-year-old arrives at the Demons after making his AFL debut with Hawthorn this season and playing five senior games. That experience gave him a firsthand look at the pace and demands of the competition.
“It happens pretty quick, the game. You have to be on for the whole time,” Ryan said.
“You’ve got to be thinking about the team a lot more than yourself. You want to be winning games and aspiring to get some silverware.”
A premiership winner with Box Hill, Ryan is driven by the prospect of helping Melbourne challenge for success. He believes his versatility can help him contribute in a range of roles, though he currently sees himself as a defender who can match up on different types of opponents.
“At the moment, I see myself as a defender. I can play on a small or a tall, so I’m pretty versatile in that space,” he said.
“But I can also go up forward, kick some goals and be exciting that way as well.”
Ryan says his contest work and determination to win the ball are among his biggest strengths, along with his willingness to do the tough things for his teammates.
“My main strengths would be my contest and will to win the footy, and being tough over the ball,” he said. “My main weapon is getting the contest done and being tough for my teammates.”
With a new club, and fresh opportunities, Ryan says that the ultimate goal is to see premiership success in red and blue.
“That’s number one, that’s what sits on top - a premiership,” he said. “Whatever gets us and the team to that spot again would be ideal. We’ve just got to attack this pre-season, start winning more games and hopefully get to the top.”
