Ex-Saints star Paddy Ryder to play for the Redtails against Sunraysia

How a former champion footballer went from guiding inmates in their new lives beyond incarceration to making his debut for a famous Central Australian football team.

After hanging up the boots on a storied AFL career at the end of last season, star ruckman Paddy Ryder began searching for ways to give back.

Keen to see “what the next part of my journey would be”, Ryder was no longer tied down by the heavy commitments of a big league pre-season.

And he’s stumbled upon a few inspiring paths so far: set to play for Central Australia’s Redtails football team and the Wadamba Prison to Work scheme in metropolitan Melbourne.

With the latter providing a pathway to employment for young Aboriginal men and women on remand, Ryder became a sounding board for those looking to reform their lives.

“My role was just to be somebody to talk to, just be somebody to support (them),” Ryder, who would attend special men’s groups on the inside, said.

Paddy Ryder celebrates kicking a goal against his former team Essendon during the 2022 season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

The opportunity came about after attending a NAIDOC event.

“I just thought, ‘I wouldn’t mind getting involved here’,” he said.

“I like to listen to people and help.

“A lot of people just need one person to show up for them at some point.”

However, Ryder’s life would be suddenly lured up north about a month ago.

After some labouring work, and signing up with Devon Meadows FC for the 2023 season, Ryder suddenly got a call from a familiar voice: ex-St Kilda midfield coach Ben McGlynn.

Like Ryder, the former Sydney Swan had also departed the Saints last year, returning home to Sunraysia in regional Victoria.

McGlynn invited Ryder to get involved in the region’s looming match with the Redtails on April 15 in Mildura.

“I just said, ‘Why don’t I play in it? That’ll be the best way to promote it’,” Ryder said.

Ryder, alongside AFL luminaries Kevin Sheedy and Anthony Koutoufides, have been announced as official ambassadors for the game billed as “Dreamtime at the P”.

Ryder is due to arrive in Alice Springs in the next two to three weeks, and is keen to get among the Red Centre community as much as possible, while lending his support to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program.

Ryder and Ben McGlynn both departed the Saints after the 2022 season. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

“(Just) try and pump it right up, get the excitement going and just get around everyone,” he said of his new role.

“Whatever the guys wants me to do, schools, training, all that sort of stuff, I’m open to everything.

“I’d like to think I’m very engaged with the community. I want to give back to the community as much as I can.”

Ryder can already sense his involvement with the Redtails will be a memorable one.

“It’ll be something I’ll hold onto, and I’m sure I’ll have more involvement than just a one-off game with them,” he said.

The former Bomber said he was still in good shape, starting pre-season with Devon Meadows recently.

“I’ve been doing a bit of training … I know how important that is for my own wellbeing,” he said.

In a further positive post-career, Ryder will be presented with AFL life membership next month.

“It’s awesome for my whole family, a really proud moment for everyone.”

Former AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder to play for the Redtails

Former AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder will play for Central Australia in a representative match in regional Victoria in April.

Ryder, who hung up the boots last year after 281 games with Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda, will slip on the “Redtails” guernsey when it takes on a Sunraysia Football League rep team at the new Mildura Sporting Precinct on April 15, billed as “Dreamtime at the P”.

Redtails founder and president Rob Clarke said Ryder was also keen to be an ongoing ambassador for the club and its wider program, Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks.

“He’s keen as,” Clarke said, describing Ryder as an “absolute champion” who recently received AFL life membership.

Paddy Ryder acknowledges St Kilda fans after the round 18 match between the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

“It’s pretty amazing that a bloke of that stature wants to give back.

“It was just amazing to talk to him.

“He’s so down to earth and keen to help.

“Within a half-hour conversation he was already thinking about who he can talk to to promote the program.”

Clarke said Ryder would train with the team, be involved in the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program and visit some local schools.

Redtails Pinktails aims to drive change in the Red Centre through the promotion of healthy living and job readiness programs.

The Redtails have played a number of teams since its inception, including the Port Adelaide Academy in 2016. Picture: Redtails Football Club.

Clarke said Ryder’s involvement had been brokered through connections with the Sunraysia team, with excitement building down south already.

“It’s sort of gone off down there, which is pretty exciting,” he said.

“This is why we exist.

“All the stuff we do at our Right Tracks program is all about life, and footy’s just the carrot.

“They’ve fallen in love with what we do.

“This is why we exist, any game like this is worth its weight in gold.”

The Redtails first took to the field in October, 2012 in a match against St Mary’s, before fixtures against Encounter Bay, Edwardstown, Port Adelaide Academy and a New Zealand national side, among others.

“It’s become a real way of life,” Clarke said of the club and the program.