The Ryan surname has a long-standing history in the Goulburn Valley’s football landscape.
Head west along the Midland Highway from Mooroopna and you’re pretty much in Ryan country.
Although the family name has its ties with many clubs in the region, it’s with Tatura that the name has the strongest of links.
From the likes of John and Travis Ryan, to today’s crop of Chris, Brad and Curt Ryan, you can be sure a Ryan is putting their skills to good use at Tatura Park.
But 706km away from Tatura, Adelaide teenager Jakob Ryan has been flying the Ryan flag.
The 18-year-old is the son of three-time Tatura premiership player and former star forward Steve — who has called the City of Churches home since 2003.
Jakob is one of the brightest talents to come out of South Australia this year and after the events of this week — we can expect to see a Ryan take the AFL world by storm.
The dashing defender was selected with pick 28 in this week’s AFL national draft and will now call Collingwood home.
Don’t expect to see the newly-drafted South Australian talent take after his old man and light up the forward line anytime soon.
Steve was renowned for his aerial prowess, his dead-eye accuracy in front of goals and spearheading Tatura’s forward line during the Bulldogs’ three senior premierships in 1995, ’98 and in 2002.
“He’s got a bit more work ethic than me and his skills are definitely not from me,” Steve said with a laugh.
All jokes aside, Jakob’s talents mean business.
He spent the 2022 campaign starring for Glenelg in the SANFL under-18s, while he also recorded bright showings for SA at the national championships.
Standing at 188cm, the athletic and versatile backman has mirrored his game on idol and Hawthorn star James Sicily.
Although he will now line-up against Sicily, Jakob has found himself rubbing shoulders with gun defenders Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and rising star Nik Daicos.
Steve said it was a “special” night on Tuesday as more than 80 people packed into the Adelaide-based Ryan household to watch Collingwood select the boy with the flowing blond-mullet.
“Jakob’s rapt to be heading to Collingwood. They’ve shown in the past 12 months that they have a really good culture around the club,” Steve said.
“Craig (McRae) has instilled a real family culture there and that really resonates with Jakob because he is such a family-orientated kid. He can’t wait to get over there.”
Following the news of Jakob’s arrival to the Pies, Steve said the text messages and phone calls flooded in quick fast from past teammates and fellow Ryans back in GV heartland.
“I have a lot of family still over in Tatura and in the GV ... I had a lotta texts and phone calls from family and friends which was nice,” he said.
“I loved playing for the town I grew up in. I still keep in touch with a lot of people, guys like Garry Stevens, I was actually recently over there for his 50th not long ago.
“My cousin Travis is a Pies supporter, so he’s pretty happy with where Jakob has landed. We’re super proud of everything he’s achieved.”