Season 2024 is now one third of the best way full, and it’s honest to say that Western Australian-based followers might be having fun with what they’ve seen.
West Coast have put collectively a block of inflexible, but thrilling soccer, whereas Fremantle have resembled their swashbuckling 2022 kind, in comparison with their stagnant 2023 efforts.
Loads in Justin Longmuir’s aspect have taken important steps ahead, however one which has maybe gone beneath the radar is Luke Ryan, the peroxide-coated defender who has put collectively a reputable case for a second All-Australian choice within the opening stanza of the season.
The artwork of (efficient) kicking
Luke Ryan. (Photograph by Michael Willson/AFL Photographs through Getty Photographs)
Ryan’s Spherical 8 efficiency towards Richmond was nearly flawless, with the 28-year-old attaining profession highs throughout disposals (39), kicks (31) and fantasy factors (161), together with 15 marks besides.
It’s one factor to have the ability to win the ball, however with the ability to use it successfully is one other, which is why Ryan’s bullseye-like accuracy is quick turning into unattainable to disregard.
Throughout eight rounds this season, Ryan’s disposal effectivity by foot is 92.1 per cent, presently ok for seventh in all the competitors.
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That stat alone, nevertheless, is void of key context, with not one of the six gamers forward of him on uncooked share having performed greater than three video games, and solely Jack Buckley and Harris Andrews additionally that includes within the prime ten whereas enjoying all eight matches this season.
His per-game disposal common of 25.4, a quantity ok to be thirty first in all the competitors, is nearly peerless when additionally mirrored in effectivity.
The one gamers to common greater than 20 disposals, whereas additionally being within the prime 30 for kicking effectivity, are Ryan, Nick Vlastuin, Jeremy McGovern, Dyson Heppell and Tom Stewart, which is on the entire a high quality quintet.
In truth, Stewart’s 2023 All-Australian season gives the closest direct comparability, with Ryan’s present kind placing him proper on observe to duplicate, and exceed, the elite numbers put up by Geelong’s star defender final season.
Ryan vs Stewart by the numbers
Ryan (rounds 0-9, 2024)
Stewart (2023)
Disposals
25.4
23
Disposal effectivity (%)
92.1
82.1
Marks
8.5
8.3
Spoils
3.6
3.2
Rebound 50s
8.1
7.2
Metres gained
480
471
Though there’s a gigantic caveat on the above numbers that Ryan might want to keep these stats throughout the remaining two thirds of the season, Fremantle couldn’t have requested for a greater begin from their star defender.
Profession quiet achiever
His ability and poise with the ball in hand is actually no secret to those that preserve an lively eye on Fremantle, however within the grander scheme of the competitors, the argument might be made that Ryan’s expertise has been considerably missed.
The 2020 Doig Medallist, awarded to Fremantle’s finest and fairest, loved a superb Covid-interrupted season, profitable his sole All Australian nod so far amidst an inconsistent group marketing campaign.
Since then, the medium defender has steadily constructed himself a repute as a dependable pillar of a resolute Fremantle defence, together with his 2023 marketing campaign seeing him make the 40-man All-Australian squad.
Signed till 2027, Ryan revealed to Perth-based radio station SportFM in February that he wasn’t coming into pre-season at full health.
“I’m getting back from an ankle damage, and I haven’t been in a position to kick the ball actually far in the intervening time… I’ve regarded to decrease my eyes just a little bit and hit tougher kicks beneath 40 metres that may actually open up the sport,” he stated.
Based mostly on his metres gained to this point, you wouldn’t comprehend it.
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