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Video: Ryder expects physical Bombers

Thursday, 19 January 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder says he expects the Bombers to be a more physical outfit in 2012.

Watch the full interview with Paddy Ryder here on Bomber TV →

Ryder, into his seventh pre-season at the club, rates the preparations for this season as the hardest he has endured since being recruited in 2005.

“It has been tough. Hirdy promised us that it would be our toughest pre-season yet and it sure has lived up to it,” Ryder said.

“It is pretty enjoyable when you get down (to the club) and do the hard stuff with your best mates, then when you all come off the track you do feel good.”

Ryder said he was impressed with the performances of the club’s third year players, and expects the midfield group to continue to develop this season.

“Trav Colyer and Jake Melksham have put on some size, so hopefully they won’t be getting pushed around this year and instead they will be doing it back to the opposition,” he said

“The boys have worked hard in the gym this pre-season with a lot of the guys putting on a couple of kilos each.

“The main change I would expect is for us to have bigger bodies and win a lot more contested ball.”

Ryder also admitted he admired the work rate of Jobe Watson, saying the captain was leading the team in all areas of the training track.

“Our captain Jobe Watson has come back in pretty good shape and he is probably the one that has done the most yards on the track,” Ryder said.

“Heath Hocking has also impressed and would be up there with Jobe.”

Stand as One - One Team. One Dream. Join the team in 2012 by clicking here to become an Essendon member today.

PLAYER PROFILE: Patrick Ryder
PLAYER PROFILE: Jake Melksham
PLAYER PROFILE: Travis Colyer

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...'Watson has come back in pretty good shape...' Have a look at Paddy! Just when you thought he could'nt improve on his outstanding ruck work and contested marks from last season, add those arms... I think there's something in the water down at Windy Hill! Bring on season 2012!

- Rick Graven (posted 19/01/2012 11:20:40 AM)

The Big Bombers are going to arrive like the B52's in 2012 from all accounts. Only hope they have not sacrificed too much of their speed in doing so. Very excited.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 19/01/2012 1:27:04 PM)

I really hope this is for real. Im getting very excited about all this. So im expecting big and fast monsters out on the park destroying all in front of them. Its going to come down to injuries though, hopefully the injuries are at a minimum. My mates carlton mates are telling me we are a few years off them and they hope to take the flag, can we really give it to them this year for my sake!

- Harry Calaghan (posted 19/01/2012 2:03:05 PM)

Paddy Ryder is now one of the AFL's elite players and a leader. Like him at CHB, but with forays forward to unsettle the opposition.

- Thomas Faunce (posted 19/01/2012 3:49:02 PM)

You all look huge. We should thrash our opponents this year!! C'mon the DONS!!!!

- Rolf Buchner (posted 19/01/2012 3:49:16 PM)

Alan De M - Rock Lobsters and Bomberland Monsters!

- Kris Bayne (posted 19/01/2012 4:41:04 PM)

Can't wait to see the boys in season 2012!

- Troy Goldner (posted 19/01/2012 4:49:43 PM)

Could not keep it anymore under wraps this pre-season. Giving us nothing, what we are getting dribbled through is exciting. Maybe this is a cunning membership drive. As for Paddy - They say the ruckmen mature late. Paddy has been awesome till now at what, 24? Really hope he can be a one team player. Will be a dual premiership player if he does.

- Brad Scarr (posted 19/01/2012 4:52:28 PM)

The extra muscle has got to help them win the ball in the packs, and they can still be quick. I am very keen to see how they go, especially in the real season.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 19/01/2012 4:53:37 PM)

No 'boys in bikinis' this year Baynie.

- Brad Scarr (posted 19/01/2012 5:10:48 PM)

I am livig proof that if you bulk up and go hard you will succeed.

- Bob Davies (posted 19/01/2012 6:18:57 PM)

I have no doubt that Bomber identified our effort in contested ball as our greatest weakness and has pushed for the "bulking" up of players unlike the knightmare who wanted us to all weigh 70kg and run fast thinking that would win premierships-how far off the mark was he?

- Mark Brooker (posted 19/01/2012 8:44:01 PM)

Nor last year, Brad! Or ever! Call me a traditionalist, but the boys (and girls, naturally) have the beanies, the girls (and Borat) have the bikinis. Just as long as they are red and black!

- Kris Bayne (posted 19/01/2012 8:44:50 PM)

Not amongst the playing group anyhow Brad :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 20/01/2012 1:06:04 AM)

Jobe has proved himself to be a worthy captain of this club. Leading by example. Paddy you are exciting to watch, more strength is valuable, we can get to the ball & control disposal. Great attitudes from our playing group.

- Gail Taylor (posted 20/01/2012 10:13:15 AM)

Classic Robert! You are going well this year - don't go and spoil it now. A play on the song of course Kris, would never doubt our champs. Last place I want is to find myself in is 'lots of trouble, or lots of bubble' or in a jam, or a giant clam.......

- Brad Scarr (posted 20/01/2012 12:04:22 PM)

I've said all along, size is one thing, endurance is another....and that takes time!! where looking good at the moment & will rattle some cages this year, but in another year or 2, Look-out!!!!

- Chris Litchfield (posted 20/01/2012 12:17:52 PM)

Cheap shot Mark.. learning curves and development aren't always discovered before each event/era by squizzing inside a crystal ball,otherwise Bomber and Malthouse would have succeeded years and years earlier than when "everything finally fell into place,even the stars aligning.. " Hindsight is a wonderful gift,and should be used or expressed wisely.. :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 20/01/2012 3:14:01 PM)

Spot on Noel. What MK did was start rebuilding, because he had to. The leftover list needed it and the leftover 2000 crew were past they're best. New recruits usually weigh 70 kg. With what he had the game suited and also is beneficial to our game today. Like Stants, really hope our supporters can move on and give credit where due, especially to MK.

- Brad Scarr (posted 20/01/2012 5:07:12 PM)

Thinking out loud.All the boys are going to have a breakout season this year,I have them in the top six.Then lookout after that,Essendon here we come.We are going to show the competition that we will be a force to be reckon with and you all better watch out.diane

- Diane Trask (posted 20/01/2012 6:35:27 PM)

P Riddy, please please please start playing to your potential on a more consistent basis. We have all seen your talent in patches and we want to see more of it! We love you Paddy, only a few months and we still start seeing rewards for all the yards put in

- Mark Dempsey (posted 20/01/2012 10:10:41 PM)

I agree with Noel and Brad, and not that simplistic stuff from Mark.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 21/01/2012 5:52:06 PM)

this year to be a breakout year IMHO. There's some young colts ready to bust open the gates and show the AFL what we're been quietly nurturing, and our older stallions look to be fresher than a spring rain! Bring it ON!!!

- Graeme Blore (posted 22/01/2012 2:47:35 PM)

Paddy, it's great to see you focussed on being the very best.Because guess what? you can be, you have shown us what you are capable of. Closing elite opp players down,inspiring marks, which lift the whole team, great goal kicking, unselfish shepherding, excellent disposals to teamates, just put it all together & you can have a Brownlow mate, Self Belief is most important, in 2012, "just do it".

- Graeme Coad (posted 23/01/2012 1:47:39 PM)

Appreciate your support Brad and Mossie :-) Sorry Gordon,always called the Great G.Moss from Claremont that,throughout his career.. An inspiring Bomber,who wore the number 25!!Forever in our hearts by winning that Brownlow. Go Bombers 2012 :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 2/02/2012 6:58:52 AM)