YOUNG Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder is the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
Ryder picked up 14 disposals in the Bombers' win over the Crows on Sunday and did a commendable job on Adelaide danger man Brett Burton. He also restricted key forwards Ian Perrie and Nathan Bock when assigned to them, while performing well at ground level.
He was modest when asked how he managed to perform so well when given a new role in defence.
" I was given a job, so I just went out there and did what I needed to do," he said.
"At the end of the day, I ended up playing a good game and the team ended up getting over the line."
He was originally touted as a potential No.1 draft pick, with Essendon pleased to recruit him at No.7 overall in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.
The lanky ruckman made his debut last season and played a total of nine games for the year. Despite his senior experience, he remains eligible for nomination as he meets the criteria for the award.
Players must be under the age of 21 at January 1 of this year and must not have played more than 10 senior games before the start of this season.
They also must not have been suspended by the AFL or state league tribunals during the season though, as with the Brownlow medal, players found guilty of certain offences and fined or reprimanded remain eligible.
Ryder showed immense promise last season and, despite his light frame, was sometimes used in the ruck, as David Hille was often required to fill the void left by the injured Matthew Lloyd in the forward line.
This season however, Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy sees Ryder as a potential defender and is opting to give the 19-year-old more time down back.
"With the size difference between myself and some of the ruckmen at the moment, ‘Sheeds’ told me I wasn't going to be in the ruck playing full games," Ryder explained.
"He's looking at trying to give me another position so I can be out on the ground and using my ability playing in the backline.
"He just sort of threw me up there to see what I could do and it turned out alright."
So, how did the Bombers' coach rate his charge's round one performance, especially considering the talented youngster played the majority of his junior football as a forward?
"After the game, he came up and shook my hand and gave me a little wink. That's pretty much ‘Sheeds’," Ryder said.
"He doesn't say much."
The young Aboriginal becomes the first Bomber to be nominated for the award since Kepler Bradley and Jason Laycock were put forward in 2005.
Check out afl.com.au's exclusive interview with Ryder here.
