Paddy Ryder making the decision to leave Port Adelaide was one of the hardest he’s had to make

Paddy Ryder didn’t want to leave Port Adelaide but he knew the writing was on the wall. But he is excited about the prospect of having Power teammate Dougal Howard join him at St Kilda.

New St Kilda recruit Paddy Ryder in action for Port Adelaide against Richmond at Adelaide Oval. Picture Sarah Reed

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Paddy Ryder said leaving Port Adelaide was one of the toughest decision he’s had to make.

Ryder was traded to St Kilda alongside Power teammate Dougal Howard (along with a pick 10 and a future fourth-round pick) for picks 12, 18 and a future third-round selection.

“I met some of the best people of my life at Port Adelaide and I didn’t want to leave in the end but it was the best for the club and myself going forward,’’ Ryder said on SEN SA Breakfast on Friday.

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New St Kilda recruit Paddy Ryder in action for Port Adelaide against Richmond at Adelaide Oval. Picture Sarah Reed

Ryder played 243 games for Port and Essendon and said he knew his time at Port Adelaide was coming to end mid-year when they played Hawthorn in Tasmania.

“Mid-year (I could) see the way things were panning out,’’ Ryder added.

“Scotty Lycett was out of the team and I didn’t even start in the ruck, I think little things like that towards the end of the year made my mind up.

“Obviously that was disappointing for me but I find myself moving with an opportunity I’m very happy about,’’ he said.

Former Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder in action against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval. Picture Sarah Reed

Dougal Howard rucks against Reilly O'Brien this year. He is following Ryder to the Saints. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Ryder said he was excited heading to St Kilda alongside his cousin Brad Hill and former teammate Dougal Howard who he was surprised to see on the trade table.

“When his name was being thrown up I was thinking ‘what’s going on? Why is his name getting chucked up’,” Ryder said.

“I know how good he is, you just can’t go to the shop and by a little bit of extra leg speed. Plus he’s a big man, he can run, he can jump.

“That really excited me, he’s a young bloke with many years ahead of him, his personal attributes he brings to the table, there aren’t many blokes like that,’’ he said.