Young star’s decision to pick cricket over Aussie rules pays off
His brother may be a budding AFL star but Jem Ryan turned his back on the chance to join him in favour of his sporting love. Now he’s been preparing to line up against the powerhouse Indian cricketing team this weekend.
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In a different life Jem Ryan could be playing in the AFL.
Jem briefly trialled with Richmond Tigers, the club that drafted his brother Samson in 2020, but his true sporting love ultimately won out.
“Richmond invited him down so because of his brother Samson,” Jem’s former Toowoomba Grammar cricket coach Steven Fryer, who is now the school’s director of co-curricular and activities, said.
“I think he was always leaning towards cricket though – that has always been his real passion.”
Now two years on from that faithful day he ranks among Queensland and Australia’s most promising young players.
Named in the 14-man Prime Minister’s XI squad, Jem could face India in Canberra this weekend.
Fryer attributes Jem’s rise to his excellent balance.
The bowling all-rounder has two distinct personalities – on and off field personas.
“He has a really relaxed personality and is a lot of fun in the clubhouse away from the field,” Fryer said.
“On the field he’s very focused, very competitive.
“I believe his ability to separate those parts of the game is a big part of his success.”
Handy skills on the field obviously play a big part as well.
Recognising the talent of Jem and Samson – Fryer helped convince the Ryan family to join Grammar with Jem joining the school in 2017.
The bowling all-rounder rapidly progressed through the school’s cricket ranks but 2022, his final year at Grammar, was his breakout season.
“Year 12 (2022) was his breakout,” Fryer said.
“He had an amazing season in GPS and while playing for Queensland U19s he was named in the Australian U19 merit team.
“He probably should’ve taken more wickets than he did that year though.
“Jem’s a great bowler – good line, length and bounce – and he usually beat the bat at least one or two times an over.
“The good thing at least is against that next level of batsmen they will get an edge to a few those and he’ll get some wickets.”
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