Luke Ryan

Originally from the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale, Ryan played junior football for Aberfeldie, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District Football League, as well as some games for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup.{{cite news|last1=Cavanagh|first1=Chris|title=Luke Ryan enjoying a stellar season for Coburg in the VFL|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/luke-ryan-enjoying-a-stellar-season-for-coburg-in-the-vfl/news-story/a50a6e6bff4bd6ab301ede5a6b94db55|access-date=4 June 2017|work=Moreland Leader|date=20 July 2016}} He then played for the Coburg Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 2016, winning the Fothergill–Round Medal as the most promising young player in the league.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/coburg-defender-luke-ryan-bound-for-afl-level-after-claiming-vfls-fothergillround-medal/news-story/1d8b1505951bd9c52066d3cc8df7761f|title=Coburg defender Luke Ryan bound for AFL level after claiming VFL's Fothergill-Round Medal|first=Chris|last=Cavanagh|work=Moreland Leader|date=14 September 2016|access-date=4 June 2017}} In 2017, he was awarded the Simpson Medal for the best player on ground during Peel Thunders victory over Subiaco in the West Australian Football League grand final.{{cite news|title=Negative publicity no motivation for Peel Thunder, says Simpson medallist Luke Ryan|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/negative-publicity-no-motivation-for-peel-thunder-says-simpson-medallist-luke-ryan-ng-5cfca8f68d49f694bf7cefff1f7a7dfc|access-date=|work=perthnow|date= 25 September 2017|first=Bridget|last=Lacy}}

He was recruited as a mature age player to Fremantle with their third selection, 66th overall, in the 2016 AFL draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2016-11-25/draft-wrap|title= Freo stand tall at AFL Draft|first=Tom|last=Fee|date=25 November 2016|publisher=fremantlefc.com.au}} He made his AFL debut in round 11 of the 2017 AFL season against Collingwood at Domain Stadium, after playing well for Fremantle's reserves team, Peel Thunder, in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).{{cite news|last1=Quartermaine|first1=Braden|title=Luke Ryan a chance to debut as Dockers drop Danyle Pearce for Collingwood fixture|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/luke-ryan-a-chance-to-debut-as-dockers-drop-danyle-pearce-for-collingwood-fixture-ng-b88494837z|access-date=4 June 2017|work=The West Australian|date=1 June 2017|language=en-AU}}

Ryan received the AFL Rising Star nomination for round 20 after gaining 28 possessions and taking 16 marks in the Dockers' 23-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at Domain Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-07/a-lad-to-a-rising-star-docker-ryan-makes-his-mark|title='A lad' to a Rising Star: Docker makes his mark|publisher=AFL.com.au|work=BigPond|first=Marc|last=McGowan|date=7 August 2017|access-date=7 August 2017}} Ryan also received two votes in the 2017 Brownlow Medal from this round 20 match. Ryan kicked his first AFL goal in round 13 of the 2018 season during Fremantle's 57 point win over Carlton.

Luke Ryan was awarded the Beacon Award for the best first year player during the 2017 AFL season. An outstanding performance throughout the 2020 AFL season would see Ryan win the Doig Medal and named in the 2020 All-Australian team.{{cite web|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/829900/luke-ryan-wins-2020-doig-medal|title=Luke Ryan wins 2020 Doig Medal|work=fremantlefc.com.au|access-date=12 September 2021}}

The 2021 AFL season saw Ryan play 19 games, missing three games due to injury, and finishing sixth in the Fremantle Dockers best and fairest.{{cite news|title=The four players who could make or break Fremantle Dockers in 2022|last=Smith|first=Doran|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/01/30/the-four-players-who-could-make-or-break-fremantle-dockers-in-2022/|access-date=23 March 2023|work=theroar.com.au|language=en}}

Ryan played all 22 games during the 2022 AFL season, a career best, as well as in Fremantle's two finals appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pg-fremantle-dockers--luke-ryan?year=2022|title=Luke Ryan|publisher=footywire.com|access-date=26 March 2023}} A highlight of his season being his 32 disposal effort against the Western Bulldogs in round 21.{{cite news|title=Round 21 Western Bulldogs v Fremantle|last=|first=|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/matches/3984?Competition=3&CompSeason=51&GameWeeks=728#summary|access-date=26 March 2023|work=westernbulldogs.com.au|language=en}} Ryan played his 100th game during round 16 against Port Adelaide.{{cite news|title=Fremantle Dockers defender Luke Ryan reflects modestly on 100-game milestone ahead of Port Adelaide clash|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/fremantle-dockers-defender-luke-ryan-reflects-modestly-on-100-game-milestone-ahead-of-port-adelaide-clash-c-7368925|access-date=12 December 2022|work=thewest.com.au|language=en}} Ryan was among Fremantle's best during their elimination final win over the {{AFL WB}} at Optus Stadium, collecting 31 disposals and a game-high 25 kicks.{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Purple heart-stopper: Freo gives Dogs the heave-ho after HUGE comeback

|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4743#match-report|access-date=31 July 2023|work=afl.com.au|language=en}} He signed a four-year contract extension at the end of the season tying him to Fremantle until at least 2027.{{cite news|title=Ryan commits to Freo!|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1256955/ryan-commits-to-freo|access-date=12 December 2022|work=fremantlefc.com.au|language=en}}

Round one of the 2023 AFL season saw Ryan gather a game high 37 disposals against St Kilda.{{cite news|last1=Healey|first1=Catherine|title=Coaches’ perfect club debuts; early alarm bells as trio cop fails: AFL Report Card|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/coaches-perfect-club-debuts-early-alarm-bells-as-trio-cop-fails-afl-report-card/news-story/87ed196552ea4e98ddb393584a7e482f|access-date=21 June 2023|work=foxsports|language=en}} He was one of Fremantle's best players in round 20 during their 7 point win over {{AFL Gee}} at Kardinia Park collecting 28 disposals.{{cite news|last=|first=|title=Match Centre|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/match-centre/AFL20232002|access-date=4 August 2023|work=foxsports|language=en}} He finished the season ranked elite in marks, kicks and metres gained by Champion Data.{{cite news|title=‘Loud and vocal’ energy igniting Fremantle’s pre-season|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1489889/loud-and-vocal-energy-igniting-fremantles-pre-season|work=|date= |first=|last=}}

Ryan collected 33 disposals and ten marks in Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the {{AFL BL}},{{cite news|last=|first=|title=A perfect ten for Serong in coaches’ votes|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1509776/a-perfect-ten-for-serong-in-coaches-votes|access-date=25 March 2024|work=fremantlefc.com|language=en}} and 23 disposals the next week against {{AFL NM}}. He collected 27 disposals against Adelaide and was an integral part of Fremantle's defense helping to keep the crows star forwards goalless.{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Freo challenged to embrace 'monotony' of season after perfect start|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1096307/fremantle-dockers-challenged-to-embrace-monotony-of-season-after-perfect-start-flat-adelaide-crows-frustrated|access-date=4 April 2024|work=afl.com|language=en}} As of the mid-season bye he was ranked elite in disposals, spoils, kicks, kicking efficiency, marks, rebound 50s and meters gained.{{cite news|title=150 of the very best: Luke Ryan|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1603322/150-of-the-very-best-luke-ryan|work=|date= |first=|last=}} He played his 150th game in round 19 against {{AFL Mel}} during Fremantle's annual Starlight Purple Haze Game, and in doing so earned himself a life membership at the Dockers.{{cite news|title=Three-word analysis of every Fremantle Dockers player in home clash with Melbourne|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/three-word-analysis-of-every-fremantle-dockers-player-in-home-clash-with-melbourne-c-15424408|work=The West Australian|date=21 July 2024|first=Chris|last=Robinson}} He was named at back pocket in the 2024 All-Australian team at the season's end.

Luke is the cousin of {{AFL BL}} tall Brandon Ryan.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/1347714/hawks-swoop-on-x-with-pick-12 |title=Hawks swoop on Brandon Ryan with pick 12 |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=24 January 2024 |website=hawthronfc.com.au |language=en}}

: Statistics are correct to the end of 2023{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/L/Luke_Ryan.html|title=Luke Ryan|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=25 May 2022}}

{{Australian rules football statistics legend|s=y}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2017 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 11 || 0 || 0 || 120 || 55 || 175 || 69 || 44 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 10.9 || 5.0 || 15.9 || 6.3 || 4.0 || 2

|-

| 2018 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 20 || 2 || 1 || 260 || 102 || 362 || 131 || 43 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 13.0 || 5.1 || 18.1 || 6.6 || 2.2 || 0

|-

| 2019 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 18 || 1 || 0 || 263 || 105 || 368 || 94 || 47 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 14.6 || 5.8 || 20.4 || 5.2 || 2.6 || 5

|-

| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Fre}} || 13

| 17 || 0 || 0 || 251 || 65 || 316 || 88 || 20 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 14.8 || 3.8 || 18.6 || 5.2 || 1.2 || 6

|-

| 2021 || {{AFL Fre}} || 13

| 19 || 0 || 0 || 332 || 82 || 414 || 136 || 34 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 17.5 || 4.3 || 21.8 || 7.2 || 1.8 || 3

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Fre}} || 13

| 24 || 0 || 1 || 403 || 116 || 519 || 167 || 45 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 16.8 || 4.8 || 21.6 || 7.0 || 1.9 || 3

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Fre}} || 13

| 23 || 0 || 0 || 451 || 100 || 551 || 189 || 50 || 0.0 || 0.0 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 19.6^† || 4.3 || 24.0 || 8.2 || 2.2 || 6

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Fre}} || 13

| 16 || 0 || 1 || 335 || 62 || 397 || 144 || 34 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 20.9 || 3.9 || 24.8 || 9.0 || 2.1 || 7

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 132 !! 3 !! 3 !! 2080 !! 625 !! 2705 !! 874 !! 283 !! 0.0 !! 0.0 !! 15.8 !! 4.7 !! 20.5 !! 6.6 !! 2.1 !! 29

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons cat}}

• {{Fremplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}
• {{WAFL FootyFacts}}

{{Fremantle player squad}}

{{Simpson Medal winners}}

{{Doig Medal}}

{{2017 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2016 AFL national draft}}

{{Fothergill–Round Medal}}

{{2020 All-Australian team}}

{{2024 All-Australian team}}

{{Peel Thunder 2017 WAFL premiers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Luke}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Calder Cannons players

Category:Coburg Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Fremantle Football Club players

Category:Peel Thunder Football Club players

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:People educated at Maribyrnong College

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen