MPFNL: Paddy Ryder chases elusive flag with Devon Meadows after surgery

The former AFL star gives an update after undergoing surgery and why the 2024 MPFNL season looks exciting for him and Devon Meadows.

Paddy Ryder celebrates a goal for the Saints. He’ll line up again with Devon Meadows in 2024. Photo by Michael Klein

Paddy Ryder said it would have been “the easy decision’’ to pull the pin on his time at Devon Meadows in the Mornington Peninsula league.

Since making a great impact with the Panthers last season, Ryder has undergone knee surgery and relocated to Adelaide for family reasons.

But, speaking on Wednesday, he re-confirmed his commitment to Devon Meadows in 2024.

“The easy decision would have been just to step away and say, ‘oh, I’m going to stay in Adelaide and I can’t commit to the club any more’,’’ he said.

“But I’m really close with a lot of the guys there and the club’s supported me over the last couple of years really well personally off the field so I don’t really want to leave that place and I’m willing to put in a bit more effort for a bit longer just to see if we can achieve what we all want to.’’

Paddy Ryder takes a kick for the Panthers. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ryder kicked 43 goals in 10 games last season.

Ryder will be living in Melbourne for most of the season.

“I’m going to try and play every game, which is why it’s really important at the moment to be fit and get the knee right. It’s all on the right track,’’ he said.

Ryder said the extent of his knee surgery was “just a big clean out, nothing structural’’.

“I’m actually pretty lucky to get through my whole career with no problems, that was the first clean out that I’ve had on the knee,’’ he said.

Ryder, nor Devon Meadows, has won a senior flag.

Paddy and the Panthers are driven by a big premiership carrot this year.

Ryder kicked 43 goals in 10 games in 2023, despite playing injured all season.

Devon Meadows made it to the finals, winning the elimination final and first semi-final before losing to eventual premiers Mornington in the preliminary final.

Ryder kicked bags of 7, 3 and 4 goals in the three finals.

“Last year I went to Span (Devon coach Ryan Hendy) before the season even started because I knew my knee was a bit off…the legs just weren’t ready to jump,’’ Ryder said.

“Unfortunately after I retired (from the AFL) I took a long time away from the gym and I lost all that power from not keeping all the muscles and ligaments activated.

“So in pre season I actually went to Spanner and said, ‘I’m probably going to have to play forward more to look after my legs’.

“And I actually had an injury early in the year with my calf.

“Nothing is a surprise with my body at the moment because I’ve been through so much and I know the signs and what preparation needs to go in.’’

Devon Meadows ruckman Riley Simmons. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Paddy Ryder in the finals last season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

His knee fixed, 35-year-old Ryder hopes to increase his input this year and play more in the ruck. During his 281-game career, he was regarded as one of the best ruckmen in the AFL.

“The goal is to get to round one and be able to go up and play five, 10 minutes in the ruck to give young Riley (Simmons) and our other rucks a chop out,’’ he said.

“And also just to get in there and use my experience to get an advantage in there.’’

Ryder said he would love to achieve something special with his mates at Devon Meadows.

“I’ve always strived for that ultimate success and unfortunately it fell short in my AFL career,” he said.

“I’m always chasing it and we’re pretty close to it.”

Former AFL-Demon and Saint Dean Kent will be another key player for Devon Meadows.

The brilliant Nick Battle and Joel Hillis will again power the Panthers, along with Trent Cody, Jayden Sullivan, Ty Kirkwood, Patrick Harmes and Simmons.

Devon Meadows has strengthened its list by recruiting Nar Nar Goon midfield dynamo Brendan “Baz” Hermann, Mordialloc captain Dylan Gregson, Mordialloc half back Jack Bailey and Hampton Park young gun Jack Wilson.