Ryder is 196cm and 92kg, has a great vertical leap, is quick over the ground and can play in attack, defence or in the ruck.
Clark is 200cm and 96kg, runs like a midfielder and can play attack, in the ruck and, at a pinch, in defence.
They're the modern day mobile big man that nearly every team has.
Sometimes you're not sure of their best position, but you know you need them out there.
Ryder and Clark will renew a friendly rivalry when Essendon travels to the Gabba to take on the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
They both played at East Fremantle and rucked against each other as juniors.
Ryder was taken at no.7 in the 2005 National Draft, while Clark was taken two places lower at no.9.
"I keep in touch with Paddy so I'm sure we'll catch up after the game," Clark said.
"He's developed into a great young player and a real X-factor for them. We'll chat after the game and I'll congratulate him on his 100th game."
Ryder played his 100th match two weeks ago against Gold Coast, while Clark has chalked up 71 matches for the Lions.
In 2009, both shot to prominence when they took over the no.1 rucking roles after David Hille (Essendon) and Matthew Leuenberger (Lions) were struck down with season ending knee injures.
"A couple of years ago when we were both the no.1 ruckmen, it was enjoyable playing against a mate," Clark said.
"But they've got two quality ruckmen in Hille and Bellchambers and he's been allowed to play forward a bit, so [I'm] not sure how much we'll line up on each other this week."
Likewise for Clark too, who has played predominantly forward this season with some back-up rucking to Leuenberger when Broc McCauley has been left out of the team.
Clark said he enjoys the freedom of centre half-forward, but could not wait until Lions captain Jonathan Brown's expected return in round nine.
Coach Michael Voss has lamented the lack of marks in the forward 50 - an area Clark hopes is rectified on Saturday.
"I like to play centre half-forward and use my strengths, which are my running, my ability to get up and around the field," he said.
"I enjoy chasing the footy, so that role suits me.
"When Browny comes back, it'll help, but it's an important area (marks inside forward 50) in our game we need to fix to give us value for our ball inside 50."
