Former NTFL Tiger and Thunder defender Ryan Nyhuis eyeing a fresh start at an AFL club

TERRITORIAN Ryan Nyhuis wants to resurrect an AFL career that ran into a roadblock after four years at Fremantle

Ryan Nyhuis holds off Adelaide’s Eddie Betts in his time as a Docker. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images.

TERRITORIAN Ryan Nyhuis wants to resurrect an AFL career that ran into a roadblock after four years at Fremantle.

Now 23, Nyhuis is back in the Top End training with his old club Nightcliff and by himself at the Michael Long Centre before today’s AFL Draft.

“here are no real expectation over the next couple of days to get drafted, but I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed,’’ he told the NT News.

“I feel open to giving it another crack for sure, a new environment and new club will give me an opportunity to take my game to another level.’’

Nyhuis played 17 games in a Dockers jumper after the WA club used pick No.34 in the 2016 rookie draft to get him to Fremantle Oval.

“It was hard work trying to break into that side,’’ he said.

“But three or four clubs have shown a bit of interest, so there’s a bit of a bubble still there and you just never know on draft day,’’ he said.

A lockdown defender who can play up forward, Nyhuis prefers a defensive role.

“I think I’ve proved at different times I can play those shutdown roles on quality small forwards,’’ he said.

“I’ve built my resume around that and believe I play my best footy there.’’

Nyhuis grinned when asked when he would be resuming his career at Nightcliff.

“Right now my main priority is getting through this draft period and staying injury free,’’ he said.

“I’m pretty settled in Perth, so I’m probably looking at staying in the WAFL for another year.’’

And has he been watching his old side?

“They’re going well, I keep saying they don’t really need me and that’s true.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on them and training and running for them, the times are pretty good at the Tigers.’’