In the lead up to a milestone game against the Gold Coast Suns this Sunday, Patrick Ryder says he is looking forward to joining some of Essendon's elite in the Bombers' 100-game club.
 
“At the moment there are only two names on the number 30 locker who have played more than 100 games and they are Geoff Leek and Kevin Walsh,"" Ryder said.
 
""It’s been a while since another name has been put on the number 30 locker.
 
“I’ve always looked around and seen the names up there and always looked forward to hopefully one day getting my name up there.""
 
Drafted in 2005 at pick seven, Ryder has displayed his versatile playing skills both in the ruck and more recently, up forward and has become an integral part of the Bombers' playing group.

Ryder said he has been honoured by the confidence Essendon had instilled in him early in his playing career and pending selection, said the 100-game milestone was a significant personal achievement.

“The club, coaches and selectors have been good enough to let me have the chance to play and I feel really honoured by that,"" Ryder said.

“To play my 100th game, it means a fair bit. I’ve been here for a few years now and I’ve been lucky enough to be given a lot of games.""
 

Ryder said he had the drive and hunger to continue his impressive form since the start of the season.

“The first couple of games I set the bar pretty high. Since then (other) teams have sort of come out and attacked me and big Hurl’s (Michael Hurley), because they see what we could provide for the team,"" Ryder said.

“The last couple of weeks have been a little bit quiet by my standards but I’m just looking forward to working hard this week to come out in my hundredth and put on a good show.""