HANDSHAKES and hugs met Patrick Ryder when he learnt he'd be free to play alongside his Port Adelaide teammates against Fremantle in round one.
Ryder and Angus Monfries listened via a phone link from the Power's Alberton base as the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal announced they had been found not guilty of Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority charges of taking prohibited peptide Thymosin Beta-4 during the 2012 season.
The pair were teammates at Essendon in 2012 before Monfries joined the Power at the end of the year and Ryder at the end of the 2014 season.
Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au both spoke of their relief and thanked their families for their support throughout the two-year-long saga.
Ryder was embraced by teammates shortly after the verdict was handed down and said he was keen to prove the value of his high-profile recruitment.
"After getting the decision I walked past most of the boys downstairs and they were all shaking my hand and hugging," he said.
"We've done the hard yards this pre-season with the boys and I just want to get out there and show them what I can bring to the team."
Monfries said the decision would allow the pair to "get on with life".
Power CEO Keith Thomas sat with both players when the decision was announced and echoed Monfries' sentiment.
Although the investigation has clouded the careers of those involved for more than two years, Thomas was confident moving on would be easy.
"I was sitting with Paddy and Angus today when the result came through and I can tell you they were thrilled," Thomas said.
"They've done a really good job of just putting it to the back of their mind – being in Adelaide provided a slightly easier environment I think…but it was always there.
"I really think it is [simple to move on] – they have embraced pre-season as if they're playing, so they are now ready to put their match guernsey on and take up their role.
"That's great credit to them and, I've got to say – I don't like commenting on other clubs – I've watched the Essendon players manage their way through this process and they have been incredible."
Both Ryder and Monfries are expected to line up for the Power against the Dockers at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries at Essendon. Picture: AFL Media
