Former Jets star plays for fun

IN what may be his last season of rugby league in Ipswich, former Ipswich Jets stalwart Michael Ryan is playing for fun.

Michael Ryan (right) is enjoying his season with Brothers, knowing it might be his last in Ipswich. Picture: Rob Williams

IN what may be his last season of rugby league in Ipswich, former Ipswich Jets stalwart Michael Ryan is playing for fun.

As the rookie police officer awaits a permanent post, he knows his playing days in his home town are probably limited, so he is making the most of the chance to play one final season for his junior club Brothers.

Joining the police was the reason Ryan left the Ipswich Jets at the end of last season, as he could not fully commit to the club.

He has had no problem getting motivated for the Ipswich Rugby League however, as his motivation has changed.

Now it is more about enjoyment than fuelling the competitive fires.

“I don’t find it hard to get up,” the skilful hooker said.

“I’m just back for a bit of fun and fitness and the chance to play with my mates.

“Plus I had put on too much weight doing nothing.

“I’m enjoying it rather than getting into the competitive side of it.”

That does not mean he is not fired up to add an A grade premiership to his resume.

To achieve it, Ryan believes Brothers must stick to their game plan better than they did in last Sunday’s 34-30 loss to Swifts.

“We went away from it in the first half and they ran over the top of us,” he said.

“We’ve got a smaller pack so we’re more mobile and with that comes fitness. Against the bigger sides, we can wear them down but you’ve got to stick in there while they’re fresh.”

While the physicality of a game against Goodna or Swifts compares to the Queensland Cup, the biggest difference between them was the pace and skill of the game.

“The Q Cup is definitely a lot quicker and more skilful.

“But at Q Cup level, you train a lot more.

“They’ve got some big boys so the physicality is there, it’s just the speed (that’s not the same).”

One Swifts player who has impressed Ryan is fullback/five-eighth Wes Conlon.

“He goes pretty well,” Ryan said.

“There are a few young fellas (in the IRL) who could probably take the next step up (to Queensland Cup level).

“But it is a big step up in dedication to training.

“Whether they are willing to take that step up is a big factor.”

Ryan is disappointed to see his beloved Jets doing so badly this season.

“I haven’t had a chance (to watch them),” he said.

“I’ve had to schedule work around Brothers and I rarely get a weekend off."

However, Ryan does not believe coach Glenn Lazarus is the reason for the team’s decline.

“I speak to Cobes (Jets captain Danny Coburn) every now and then,” Ryan said.

“It is surprising they are so low.

“They’ve lost a few players from 07, 08 and 09.

“We were a force back then and Lazo was there so you can’t put the blame on Lazo.

“They’re a lot younger there than previously.”

Ryan believes the Jets are in reasonably safe hands under the charge of 2011 coaches Ben and Shane Walker, though only time will tell if they are up to it.

“They were good but it is a fair step up from assistant coach to head coach,” Ryan said.

“But they should do pretty well.”

Originally published as Former Jets star plays for fun