Official: Port Adelaide clears way for Paddy Ryder, Sam Gray to leave Alberton
Port Adelaide has announced it will allow small forward Sam Gray to join ruckman Paddy Ryder to explore options at other AFL clubs “in the best interest of both parties”.
Paddy Ryder and Sam Gray are set to leave Port Adelaide in the off-season after the club agreed their best opportunities of a regular game were elsewhere next year.
The pair have been part of the fabric at Alberton for the past five years with ruckman Ryder joined the club from Essendon in 2014 and small forward Gray graduating from the Magpies in the same year.
Ryder, 31, played 73 games at Port Adelaide, taking his career-tally to 243, and won the 2017 best-and-fairest when he was also named All-Australian.
Gray, 27, has played 96 games as a product from Port Adelaide’s country academies and kicked 83 goals in six years.
He finished third in the club’s goalkicking this year with 20 majors from 20 games. Ryder was next best with 15 goals from 17 games.
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Port Adelaide issued a statement on Monday night saying both players had mutually agreed with the club to seek a trade to another club.
Ryder was in and out of the senior side this year alongside Scott Lycett and emerging big man Peter Ladhams who re-signed with the club earlier this month.
As revealed on Monday, the veteran has made a decision to return to Victoria where St Kilda and his former club Essendon are among the front runners for his services.
Ryder had to sit out all of the 2016 season for Port Adelaide after being banned as part of the Essendon supplements scandal but it’s understood there is no bad blood between the parties.
“Paddy has been a valued and much-loved member of our playing group since he came to Port Adelaide,” coach Ken Hinkley said.
“He’s been a fantastic servant of the club, a best and fairest winner and a terrific teammate and person to have around.
“Based on where the club’s ruck stocks are at, both Paddy and the club have reached a mutual decision that it would be best for him to explore his playing options.”
Hinkley said Gray had always worn the Power and Magpies guernsey with “pride and passion”.
“He has made a significant contribution to the club,” Hinkley said.
“From a list management perspective, we have had ongoing discussions with Sam’s management and agree that it is in the best interests of the club, and of Sam, to give him a period of time to explore opportunities to play elsewhere in 2020.”
Port Adelaide says it will work with both players’ management to ensure “the best possible outcome” for all parties.