Clarence elect not to re-sign Peter Ryan

Clarence may be on the lookout for a new senior coach but the club is providing little around their decision to cut ties with Peter Ryan. Here’s the latest.

Clarence coach Peter Ryan has been informed he won’t be leading the club next season. Picture: Linda Higginson

Clarence has refused to provide more detail around the decision to part ways with senior coach Peter Ryan.

Following a board meeting on Tuesday night, Ryan was informed by club president Scott Wade he would not be re-signed following a three-year stint at Bellerive Oval.

It’s understood Ryan was informed of the decision via a phone call following the meeting with members and players then notified soon after.

The decision comes despite Ryan holding a 66 per cent winning record across his tenure and leading the club to a double chance this year.

This masthead understands Ryan was told he wouldn’t receive a fresh deal because he hadn’t coached Clarence to a premiership with the club losing three straight preliminary finals since his arrival.

They lost all three by a combined 26 points.

But multiple sources have confirmed behind closed doors, several other factors may have played a role in the decision.

One of those is believed to be the call to not regularly play a number of talented young players involved in the state pathways program.

Sources confirmed there was an internal belief from a small minority inside the club that these players should be automatically included in, or more strongly considered for, the senior line-up when available with the decision to not always select them believed to not go down well with those individuals.

It’s understood the call to let Ryan go hasn’t gone down well with the majority of the senior playing group with many forming a close bond with him over the journey.

It’s believed a large portion of those players remain uncontracted for the Roos heading into the new SFL Premier League in 2025 with many now believed to be exploring their options.

This masthead also understands a number of unofficial approaches or conversations have been had with potential replacements for Ryan long before Tuesday’s decision.

When Wade was approached for further comment on the above, the president directed this masthead to the club statement released through AFL Tasmania.

“Late yesterday (Tuesday), the Clarence Football Club (CFC) senior division board determined not to offer a second contract extension to Peter Ryan to coach our senior team,” the statement read.

“Peter was originally contracted for the 2022 and 2023 seasons and during 2023, both parties agreed to extend the coaching contract to include the 2024 season.

“Peter has been advised of the CFC board decision and we thank him for his commitment and contribution to the CFC.

The statement went on to state the club would “explore options to recruit a successful playing coach or experienced non-playing coach with a history of success” to replace Ryan.

Ryan’s future has been under a cloud for the final few months of the TSL season after he confirmed he was still unsigned heading into finals.

Clarence coach Peter Ryan address the players during a TSL clash at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Steve Bell/Solstice Digital.

Ryan ends his time at Bellerive holding the second best overall home and away record of a TSL coach at the helm since 2022 – 36-18.

Only Kingborough coach Trent Baumeler (38-15-1) sits above him.

Losing to Kingborough in 2022 five points and North Launceston in 2023 by 20 points, Clarence was then defeated by rivals Lauderdale by one point in this year’s preliminary final.

Ryan arrived at the club ahead of the 2022 season, with the club losing 18 players before his arrival.

Former coach Jeromey Webberley couldn’t commit to playing after taking on the role as Tasmania Devils head coach while star defender Zac Buechner and young midfielder Ollie Davis both departed for interstate opportunities.

Ethan Jackson, Darcy Gardner, Max Lamb, Jacob Young, Jason Bailey and Baker Smith all departed, among others.

But despite a large list turnover, Ryan led Clarence to a preliminary final in his first year in charge.

He did the same in 2023, despite losing a host of first-choice players to injury with future skipper Luke Swinton and onballer Mitch Anderton among them.

2024 was Clarence’s best finish since 2017 and despite crashing out again in the penultimate game of the season, they were not the only club that couldn’t beat the undefeated North Launceston.

Ryan was also contacted for comment on Tuesday but politely declined to comment.