BomberBlitz.com Exclusive Interview - Patrick Ryder

BomberBlitz: Who was your footy idol growing up?
Patrick Ryder: Wayne Carey
BB: Did you follow the Kangaroos?
PR: Yeah
BB: That’s unusual for a Perth kid! Why did you pick the Kangas?
PR: Dad barracked for them, and I used to sit and watch the footy with him
BB: And do you think Carey is one of the greatest ever players?
PR: For sure, yes!

BB: How did attending the Clontarf Academy help in the development of your game? Was Gerard Neesham your coach?
PR: Gerard Neesham – he kind of oversaw things… it was more Dale Kickett and Ashley Prescott that were my coaches. And the Academy… it was good, it kept me learning, rather than dropping out of school…
BB: Which years did you do there?
PR: Year 12
BB: So it kept you in the environment where you could keep the academic side of things going while also having the sports there?
PR: Yes
BB: Which subjects did you do?
PR: Just general – English, maths, computers – didn’t specialise in anything!

BB: Your father played some football in Western Australia. Tell us a little about his career and how it’s influenced yours. Are you similar players etc.?
PR: There are some similarities – he’s probably more fierce! He could play in every position – ruck, midfield – he had a big leap but he was quick and agile enough to run with the onballers.
BB: Do you have similar body sizes?
PR: Nah – he’s only about… 6 ft 2…
BB: laughs sorry, it’s just funny to hear someone referred to as “only” 6 ft 2!!
PR: grins He’s got more muscle than me though.

BB: Your first game wasn’t all that long ago. Can you remember what you were feeling as you ran out onto the ground?
PR: Yeah… was kind of numb, but excited… was scared as! Felt quite nervous, and kind of sick. But once I got on the ground, the nerves turned into adrenaline.
BB: It must be amazing, running out onto the ground, hearing all those people.
PR: Sure is!

BB: Comparing the way you have played this season to last, you seem to have a lot more poise and confidence in your ability. What were the defining things in the offseason that helped you with this?
PR: Probably… the “want” to get better. More intensity in the preseason. I’m still fairly laid back, but last year I was extremely laid back!
BB: Guess it helped too, having already had one preseason under your belt… you knew what to expect
PR: Definitely

BB: What area of the ground do you prefer? What do you think is your greatest strength as a player? Would you see yourself as a KP defender in the future??
PR: Probably prefer back… I mean, I like ruck, and going up forward, but it helps when you know you have a position down back… want it more. My greatest strengths would probably be my marking and movement. And kicking.

BB: Do you feel the Rising Star nomination has brought any extra pressure onto you?
PR: I do feel it a bit – get a bit more noticed, more media attention, pressure to perform.

BB: Who has been the hardest player to play on in the Comp so far? Which opponents scare you (if any)?
PR: Probably hasn’t just been one player that’s hardest to play on. It’d be the smaller, quicker types though. And which opponents scare me… none!

BB: Playing with stars such as McLeod, Burgoynes, and the other guns of the indigenous all star team must have been wonderful. What did you learn most from being part of that team?
PR: The mateship. Everyone’s close. You can take that into your own game.

BB: What’s it like having your buddy Leroy join the club? How many of the other WA players did you know or had you played against?
PR: It’s fantastic – I was on Adrian’s back all last year! Editor’s note – Adrian = Adrian Dodoro, Essendon’s list manager So yeah, obviously I knew Leroy… had played on the same team as Gumby, the State team. I knew Dean as well.

BB: Any other potential draftees out west we should keep our eye on?
PR: I haven’t been back watching anyone!!

BB: What’s the best and worst thing about being an AFL footballer so far?
PR: The worst is the publicity, the media attention. You can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be perfectly innocent
BB: But because you’re a footballer….
PR: Yeah. And the best… well the best is that you get to do a job you enjoy! I don’t really know anyone that says “oh, training”… grins well, actually, maybe I do!!

BB: Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions you go through before a game?
PR: Nah… I just let it flow!

BB: Sheeds is seen by many as an ‘eccentric genius’. How does he treat you and what have you learnt most from him? And does Barnesy just annoy the opposition or actually send a message when he comes on the ground?
PR: Sheeds has been very good with me. He jokes, has fun, but has his serious side – if I’ve done something wrong, he’ll pull me up on it. And yes, Barnesy does actually send messages!

BB: How does it feel to have the big dawg Mal Michael at the club, does he not make you walk taller or what?!
PR: It’s awesome to have him here!

BB: When James retires at the end of this year, will you cry like a baby like every other Essendon fan? What have you learnt from playing with such a legend?
PR: grins yeah, I’ll have a cry with them! From watching him… he teaches you to back yourself. You can see he’s doing what he likes doing, to play footy and have fun. He gets out there and does what he has to do.

BB: Who else do you admire at the club, and who do you feel you try to base your game on?
PR: There’s the other indigenous boys, the “Brotherhood”. Outside of that… it would be Fletch.

BB: Can you please teach the boys how to take beautiful speccies without breaching the new rule?
PR: grins We’ve got the speccy bag! As long as you’re willing to get a boot in the back…

BB: If you could have any other number what would you pick? When Hirdy retires, would you like to be our new #5?
PR: If I could have any number, it would be number 18. It’s a family number – Dad wore it, and my brothers wear it. The number 5 – I’d love to wear it, but I think it should be left for a midfielder.

BB: Who do you hang out with the most at Essendon?
PR: the Brotherhood!

BB: You don’t have any thoughts of heading back West do you?
PR: No, have just signed a new deal

BB: What are your impressions of BomberBlitz?
PR: I go on a bit, have a look around!

BB: Have you always been known as ‘Paddy’? If not, who started calling you that?
PR: Actually the nickname my family gave me as a kid was “Big Pat”. But there’s always been Paddy as well.

BB: Do you have any siblings? I was at the Bombershop last Wednesday and could have sworn I saw a young boy who could have been you 10 years ago!
PR: nods Four brothers, they’re 22, 15, 13 and 12, and a sister aged 17

BB: Jobe says his greatest highlight in life is the discovery of the word “plonka”. Put the word in a sentence
PR: laughing what does that mean? Um… when you take a mark, does it go “plonk”? Um… ok…. “Leroy is a plonka!”

BB: Do you think porcupines are under-rated as a species?
PR: laughing again I have no idea!

BB: Do you find Jean Paul Sartre’s existentialist ideas about free will and his adherence to communist principals somewhat contradictory?
PR: grins Ummm…. no!

BB: What is the one question you would like to be asked, and what is the answer to that question???
PR: the one question…. thinks … ok… The question is “Would I like a flying car?!” and the answer is yes!

Editor’s note – the interview paused briefly at this stage while the Blitz interviewers stopped laughing!

BB: After bolting flat out to turn and spear tackle Nathan Buckley into the dirt, would you then consider resting one foot on him as you peer down with a smirk and bellow “Who’s your Paddy??”
PR: laughs No, I’d just give him a smile!

BB: Ok Paddy, very important question now…. are you a cinnamon, iced or jam centred type donut man?
PR: I don’t eat donuts!
BB: chuckling In all the time we’ve been doing these interviews, I don’t think we’ve ever had that answer!

BB: If you could hold a Guinness World Record, what would it be for?
PR: Um…. *thinks*… um….
BB: We can come back to that one if you like!
PR: Ok!

BB: What music do you listen to?
PR: Rap, R&B, hip hop… and some country music

BB: What would the “Paddy Ryder” theme song be?
PR: pauses to think again
BB: Come back to that one too?
PR: yeah!

BB: If someone made a film of your life, who would you like to play the lead role?
PR: Freddy Prinz Jnr – with a tan!

BB: Three words to describe yourself?
PR: Laid-back, laughable, legend! grins

BB: laughing very good!! What is your favourite colour M&M?
PR: Brown

BB: Do you think milk should be added to instant coffee prior to boiling water or after?
PR: After

BB: Shorts or pants man?
PR: Shorts

BB: Shoes or thongs?
PR: Thongs

BB: If you weren’t planning on going back to the West, have you changed your mind now you’ve heard these questions?!
PR: Almost! grins nah

BB: ok, back to the Guiness World Record question.
PR: Loudest burp!
BB: laughing and your theme song?
PR: Ryder on the storm!
BB: Excellent! Ok, now we’ve got some word associations for you. Just say the first thing that comes into your head!

BB: James Hird
PR: Football

BB: Frog
PR: Leap

BB: Eskimo
PR: Cold

BB: Kepler Bradley
PR: Larrikin!

BB: Light bulb
PR: Energy

BB: Leroy Jetta
PR: Idiot!

BB: Dick Reynolds
PR: Legend

BB: Injuries
PR: No!

BB: Windy Hill
PR: Yes it is!

BB: Frankston
PR: My girlfriend!

BB: Gary O’Donnell
PR: China

BB: Kevin Sheedy
PR: Boss!

BB: Awesome! Thanks heaps Paddy, this was great!
PR: No worries!

Posted  7 August 07 in News