Watching Garry Lyon play football on the television as a six year-old is what drew Melbourne Football Club supporter, Sarah Ryan, to the Demons.

“My Dad introduced me to football when I was six.  He would turn the television on and I would be mesmerised by Garry Lyon - it was Garry who really inspired me to support the team,” Ryan says.

Today there are even more reasons as to why Ryan loves this football club so dearly.

“I think it’s just a fantastic club, it’s got a wonderful culture, there’s a great vibe about the Club, particularly at the moment now we are in this rebuilding phase.  It’s a mighty club and the oldest club in the league,” Ryan says.

Ryan has just been appointed as a member of the Women of Melbourne Committee, where she looks forward to her first meeting with the group this week.

“I have just started to really get involved with the Club internally with the Women of Melbourne Committee.  Over the years, I have done things with the Club, but have organised these on my own along with fellow supporters.  For example, last year we held a ‘Call to Action’ and a group of us met at light tower two before the Adelaide match.  A group of supporters were able to meet with Jim Stynes and discuss certain things about the Club; there was definitely a show of unity and strength amongst the group.  This year we did a similar thing where we held a BBQ before the Round One match against Hawthorn, “Ryan says.

Outside her involvement with the MFC, Ryan works for an advocacy organisation which is the peak body for the Eye Health and Vision Care sector in Australia, where she has worked for over a year.

In terms of visions for the Club, Ryan has her own ideas as to where she would like to see Melbourne heading over the next few years.

“There is so much talent spread across the whole Melbourne team.  I think Colin Sylvia has got a load of talent, I admire Jack Grimes for his composure under pressure and his decision making,” Ryan says.

“I’d like to see the Dees move up the ladder, and keep up the pressure and intensity.  But I’m very happy with the way things are going and the direction of the Club - we have a lot to look forward to, it’s a very exciting time for the supporters and the Melbourne Football Club as a whole.”