Port Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder makes Power indigenous jumper carry a message of unity

PORT Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder has delivered a jumper for the AFL indigenous round that emphasises the power of a proud football community.

Port Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder has designed the Power’s special jumper for the AFL Indigenous Round in June to not only acknowledge the club’s 10 indigenous players — from left front row, Joel Garner, Dom Barry, Ryder, Sam Powell-Pepper, Chad Wingard; from left second row, Steven Motlop, Aidyn Johnson, Jake Neade, Karl Amon and Lindsay Thomas — but also the football club and the Port Adelaide district. Picture: Sarah Reed.

PATRICK Ryder is inclusive — as highlighted by his design of the latest Port Adelaide tribute jumper for AFL indigenous round in early June.

“The story behind this guernsey,” says Ryder of the design created with the artistic expertise of his Perth-based uncle Kev Bynder, “is of our 10 indigenous players from all over the country meeting at Port Adelaide.

“That is the centre piece of the jumper, but the bigger picture is all the people of the club and Port Adelaide region. The club, the people, the water around Port Adelaide.

“I love the way the colours, particularly the teal for the water, comes out.”

The “bigger picture” — beyond Port Adelaide’s indigenous players — was critical in Ryder’s work in designing the jumper that started in December.

There is the acknowledgment of the Power’s 10 indigenous players — Ryder, Karl Amon, Dom Barry, Joel Garner, Aidyn Johnson, Steven Motlop, Jake Neade, Sam Powell-Pepper, Lindsay Thomas and Chad Wingard — and much more in the team gear for the June 2 clash with Hawthorn at Launceston.

“We are part of something much bigger,” Ryder said. “As players we are passing through a club which was there a long time before us and will be there for a long time past us.

“And there also is the Port Adelaide region and people who I wanted to be part of this jumper. It is a key theme for us at Port Adelaide — making our community proud.”

Ryder joins a long line of Port Adelaide-listed indigenous players to have designed a commemorative jumper for the Sir Doug Nicholls round.

“I am proud to play at this club — and it was a privilege to design a jumper for our team, our club and our Port Adelaide people too,” Ryder said. “To have my touch on a Port Adelaide jumper fills me with pride.”

The AFL indigenous round unfolds in the 25th anniversary year of St Kilda great Nick Winmar pointing proudly to his skin while being racially taunted by opposition fans.

A theme round to further embrace indigenous culture and recognise the power of change the AFL has had on the Australian social agenda is strongly endorsed by Ryder.

“It is a really big one for me,” Ryder said. “As (indigenous) players, we are proud of our culture — and the Aboriginal players who have paved the way for us.

“Every year the round gets bigger and better.

“Can there be more done beyond a weekend of footy (dedicated to indigenous footballers and culture)? Always.”

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