Clem Ryan

Clem_RyanAn interchange selection in the Queensland Team of the Century, he was a utility defender who ranked among the best of his era. Captained Queensland in the first national Schoolboys Carnival held at Perry Park in 1922 and later captained the Queensland Open side in a double matched only by the great Doug Pittard. He graduated from his school team at Fortitude Valley Primary School to play for Valleys and Windsor juniors before posting more than 250 senior games at Mayne.

Twice won the De Little Medal for the best player in the League, was twice runner-up, and was a member of numerous Mayne premiership sides, including their undefeated team of 1934. Played for Queensland over an 11-year period, including seven years as captain, and went on to be coach and manager of the State side.

His work in the schools as a pioneering development officer was pivotal to the growth of the game, and culminated in the QAFL U19 Medal being named in his honour. A key figure in the formation of the Yeronga, Coorparoo and Morningside clubs, he was coach of Morningside’s first premiership side in 1952 when they only played Reserve Grade.

Was also the Panthers’ first A-Grade coach when they entered the senior QANFL competition in ‘53. Like Bill Becker, with whom he played for nine years in the Queensland team, he passed away in 1957 at the age of 50.

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