The Allied Pickfords Cup is pretty much here. We caught up with 2012 Todd-Duncanson Medallist, Jake Ryan, to talk about the upcoming season.
Surfers Paradise’s Jake Ryan has been playing footy for more than 20 years, but he is still just as excited about the season as he was in Under-8s.
Last year’s Todd Duncanson medallist has not spent much time at the Demons this off-season, focusing on fixing up a back injury and his role as a SUNS academy coach.
Being around the academy players has kept Ryan’s enthusiasm high ahead of the season, and he is eager to get games started.
“Doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s [the start of the season] always exciting,” Ryan said.
“Most kids in the SUNS academy are really exciting kids.
“Seeing them improve and getting to the start of their senior career is pretty exciting.”
With the season starting in April, Ryan said plenty of his teammates were chomping at the bit to get back into full footy action.
“Some of the club’s been in training since November,” he said.
“The boys are pretty keen to get going.”
Ryan is Gold Coast born and bred, passionate about the Demons, and has worn the same blue and red mouthguard all through his career in recognition of that.
After stints in the WAFL, VFL, the Ovens and Murray League, Ryan returned to the Demons in 2011, and he still loves playing at the club where he first started.
“I’m really itching to play,” he said.
“If I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t be playing.”
