A HUMBLED Paddy Ryder has revealed his doubts about ever being able to return to his best form, on the night he was awarded with his maiden Virgin Australia AFL All Australian selection.

The Port Adelaide ruckman edged out crosstown rival Sam Jacobs for a spot in the side.

Ryder missed all of 2016 with a doping ban as part of the 'Essendon 34' but came back in stellar form, finishing second in total hit-outs and helping the Power to fifth spot on the ladder.

He said at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda on Wednesday night that his work ethic brought him to his peak.

"Early days, when you get back into it, you find that you don't have the match fitness, and you've got to try and get back up to speed with AFL football," Ryder said.

"There were times there where I thought it mightn't come back to me, but I just kept working hard at it.

"I was able to hit some form and I continued that all year."

Ryder was traded from Essendon at the end of 2014. Three of his former Bomber teammates – Michael Hurley, Joe Daniher and Zach Merrett – were also named All Australians, along with another ex-Don Michael Hibberd, now at Melbourne.

"I do watch (Essendon). I'm extremely proud to be in the team with (three) of them tonight. They've worked really hard, as all the boys do, and it's great reward for them," Ryder said.

Port faces West Coast at Adelaide Oval on Saturday week in an elimination final.

The Power are 0-3 when the two sides have met at the venue.

After missing out on finals in consecutive years, Port is back and enjoying the ride, and the players have been allowed to have fun by coach Ken Hinkley.

"A lot of times with football, you can get caught up in it a little bit and not celebrate your achievements and your wins and everything like that, but Kenny's been great for us this year. He really allows the players to express themselves," Ryder said.

"This is the most exciting part about it, to be able to come out and play some finals football."