Out-of-contract ruckman Paddy Ryder weighing up his future at Port Adelaide
Several clubs are chasing Port Adelaide’s Paddy Ryder but does the big man want to move his family interstate for football a second time? The latest on his future beyond this season.
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Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder is weighing up his future after the club re-signed back-up big man Peter Ladhams for three more years.
Ryder, 31, is out of contract at season’s end and has attracted interest from several teams in recent months including Greater Western Sydney.
Port Adelaide is in talks with Ryder’s manager, master negotiator Paul Connors, about his options for next season.
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The Power want to keep the former Bomber, but he will have to agree to a reduced one-year deal to stay at the club.
The Giants could make Ryder’s decision more difficult if they are prepared to offer a two-year contract in excess of $400,000 a season.
Ryder also faces a significant fight to keep his spot in the Power’s senior team for next season alongside emerging tall Ladhams and Scott Lycett.
The Power also have gun key forwards Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall, who on Wednesday re-signed for three more seasons.
Ladhams agreed to a new two-year deal and is expected to compete for the No.1 ruck position at Port in 2020.
Ryder’s main suitor is the Giants, but it is unclear whether the former Bomber wants to move his family interstate for football for a second time.
Ryder left Essendon late in 2014 amid the tumultuous drugs crisis.
St Kilda, Essendon and North Melbourne are also weighing up their ruck options, with the Bombers, in particular, hoping to re-sign Sam Draper.
Ryder played well on the weekend in the win over Essendon and is confident his body will allow him to continue to perform well at the top level.
Port Adelaide dumped Lycett for Saturday’s win over Essendon and could stick with Ryder and Ladhams in the ruck in the run home to the finals.
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