Ex-South Toowoomba Bombers player selected by Richmond Tigers in 2020 AFL player draft

The dreams of a former South Toowoomba Bombers player have come true with selection in the AFL

AFL: Samson Ryan was sitting on the couch, alongside his nearly asleep father Luke when his dream came true Thursday night.

With pick 40 of the 2020 AFL Draft, Ryan was selected by the Richmond Tigers, the club he grew up supporting, on the same day he celebrated his 20th birthday.

“It was crazy,” Ryan said.

“Obviously we were not expecting it to happen last night, everyone had sort of gone to bed.

“It was a bit of whirlwind when it happened – we’re over the moon.

“I’m very grateful.”

The Brisbane Lions Academy graduate, who enrolled at Toowoomba Grammar School in 2016 as a cricketer, was due to play NEAFL this season before its cancellation.

Instead he lined up for Sherwood where he caught the eye of Richmond Tigers scouts.

“I came to Grammar to play after (TGS Director of Sport and Activities) Steven Fryer bought me here,” Ryan said.

“I got back into my footy, I’ve always loved it, and I played a year with South Toowoomba Bombers before I trialled with the Brisbane Lions Academy.

“For the past three or fours years I’ve been doing the Warrego (Highway), travelling up and down, training and eventually got there in the end.”

Samson Ryan (centre) celebrates being drafted by Richmond Tigers with his family (from left) Rosy, Belinda Samson, Luke and Jem.

The 206cm, 96kg ruckman will line up alongside some of the game’s greatest players and is looking forward to the challenge.

“They (Richmond) have some really good ruck stocks down there and are coming off the back of a premiership season.

“It’s a great successful club and a really good environment to be part of.

“I can’t wait to get down there I think I’m going to learn so much from such great people.

“At the start it was to get on an AFL list, I’ve done that.

“Now to be at Richmond – a club that has been so successful and with a great philosophy – it’s amazing.”