Nightcliff Tigers livewire Ryan Mu says he’s overcome confidence issues, leading the way at training

SPECIAL FEATURE: Nightcliff livewire Ryan Mu is leading the way in pre-season training sessions at the moment, and has come a long way after his own high expectations weighed him down 12 months ago.

Nightcliff’s diminutive livewire Ryan Mu is one of the NTFL’s most courageous players. He has overcome confidence issues and has led the way in Tigers’ 2020-21 pre-season training sessions. Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY

NIGHTCLIFF livewire Ryan Mu is leading the way for the Tigers at pre-season training at the moment, but it is a far cry from where he was at mentally this time last year.

Mu – an inspiration at Tigerland who tips the scales at just 70kg and stands at 165cm as one of the smaller players in the NTFL – admits he struggled with confidence issues 12 months ago.

The high expectations he set himself to perform while back playing in the Territory’s highest level of football – after impressing for Subiaco in the WAFL Reserves last year – felt like a burden too big to carry.

“I’m more confident now coming into this season. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform after playing for Subiaco last year,” Mu told the NT News.

“I’m really proud of myself looking at how far I’ve come since then, and I’m lucky my teammates have been so supportive and helped me push on.

“Guys like Willsy (Phillip Wills), Cam Ilett and ‘Boyo’ (Jonathan) Peris have really helped me.”

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Mu’s form transformation was complete after the 2019-20 grand final in March, when he kicked two goals to help Nightcliff to a 13-point win over St Mary’s, and help his club win a second consecutive Premier League flag.

“He really struggled at the start of last year, but he worked hard, stuck at it and turned it around, and started enjoying his footy again,” Tigers coach Chris Baksh said.

Now at just 21 and already with plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, Mu is leading by example at Tigers’ pre-season training sessions.

“You see how high your teammates set their standards and what they’re willing to sacrifice, and it gives you a wake-up call,” Mu said.

“It makes you think ‘I want to be up there with the best players’.”

Nightcliff’s Mu brothers pictured with plenty of winning silverware after junior grand-final day in the 2013-14 NTFL season. Ryan, 15 at the time, Kieran, 11, and Nathan, 13, made space in the family trophy cabinet after all three won premierships. Ryan and Kieran also won best-and-fairest awards. Picture: JUSTIN SANSON

It is not uncommon for someone Mu’s size to cop his fair share of knocks on the football field.

Mu said this to the NT News with a smile after the Tigers’ 24-point win over St Mary’s in the first semi-final back on March 3, 2018.

“I got smashed around a few times, got back up and just kept going.

“Coombesy (Michael Coombes) got me a few times, but I just had to keep getting back up.

“The only reasons why I got into space were because my teammates put blocks on for me.”

Two NTFL flags later and not much has changed.

When asked if he was one of the smallest players in the competition, he said:

“Oh yeah. Probably me and (teammate) Tyson Kidney. I’m proud of him.

“But that doesn’t matter. Everyone has to overcome their own obstacles.”

Mu – with younger brothers Nathan, Kieran and Brandon all pushing for top-grade spots at Nightcliff – has had strong family support in getting him where he is today.

Brandon – with two five-goal hauls at Under-16 Hickman level last season – is already pushing for a spot in the star-studded Nightcliff senior team.

Nightcliff’s Ryan Mu finds himself in space in tough muddy conditions against Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: PATRINA MALONE

“Brandon is training really hard and doing well. All my younger brothers are,” Mu said.

“We’ve got a gym at home and they’re all doing extras.

“I tell them ‘if I could do it (play Premier Grade at Brandon’s age) then they can, too.

“There are no excuses.

“Nathan’s got us for speed. He’s won the Grand Final sprint twice in a row.

“Dad (Don “Dragon” Mu) is great. He comes to every training session and always supports me.

“He used to be a bodybuilder.”

Mu – who relished giving his body a break over the off-season and did not go back to play in the WAFL – said confidence was high the Tigers could win a stunning third-straight NTFL flag in the 2020-21 season.

“The boys just know what they’re doing with the experience we’ve got and the standards they keep setting,” he said.

“We will have pretty much the same side this season.”