Paddy Ryder takes personal leave

[beebarry]

I know any negativity around this will be taboo but something is obviously going on a week from the start of the season ......This leaves us completely bereft of experience in the Ruck ......I love Paddy and what he did last year, and I have full respect for indigenous people and the needs of all people to connect with their families .....but this seems really strange timing .....

[skeptic]

Can’t really make a judgment without more context
How long, why, are there niggles at play as well etc

We won’t get that information so ultimately the only question is about the trust we have in Paddy’s judgment about prioritising this now

In lieu of anything to the contrary and knowing the decision would t be made lightly... what else can you do but back him in to do the right thing by himself and the club

[shanegrambeau]

I hope it is not because of hairloss. I can relate.

[Winmar7]

It sounds like sorry business, so timing may seem strange to you, but cannot be helped... don't think there is anything more to it

[Moods]

It sounds like sorry business, so timing may seem strange to you, but cannot be helped... don't think there is anything more to it

'sorry business' ?? What does that mean?

[SAINT-LEE]

It sounds like sorry business, so timing may seem strange to you, but cannot be helped... don't think there is anything more to it

'sorry business' ?? What does that mean?

Sorry business relates to a family death...it can be a pre and post time of gathering that may be 1 day or 1 week depending on how your mob deals with things.


But it's all conjecture.

Brad Hill is Paddy's cousin so if Paddy needs to go home for sorry business, why isnt Brad going?

That said, like any group of humans some are closer to others and Brad may not feel he wanted to return home.

Or it could be about Paddy, which I suspect there's some mental health needs...based on this

"When Paddy said he needed to take some time off for his health and wellbeing and reconnect with his family and culture, he had our full support to do so."

A club statement would normally include a sorry business reason, but not always

So yeah, could be anything.

But not likely.

[Otiman]

Paddy has built a solid reputation over his career and deserves nothing but respect and support in this decision.

The "Spud's game" announcement shows that the club is commited to mental health and family. Anything but positive reaction to this announcement is a sledge against the importance of mental health.

[Wayne42]

Oh dear, let's hope Paddy is able to return at some point this year.

Good thing the club drafted Paul Hunter.

[Ghost Like]

Nothing but the utmost respect for Paddy and his needs.

I hope he is able to work through this period of his life. We need him more for the finals than the early rounds.

GWS are also light on, Hunter & McKernan should suffice, our mids need to step up, just as anyone does whose mate falls.

[B.M]

A huge advantage for us, becomes a weakness.

Paddy would have given our mids an armchair ride vs GWS. and made life very difficult for Taranto, Hopper, Ward and Co

Hopefully he gets back ASAP

[bangaulegend]

Ouch that hurts no Marshall & now no Ryder that's made tough game even tougher. Hunter has been thrown in the deep end & now a case of sink or swim for him. McKernan can pinch hit but he not a ruck man IMO so big task for our mid field now I hope they can step up because if they don't we will be looking down the barrel

[Yorkeys]

All the best Paddy. Say if there is anything we can do. Ok?

[Gershwin]

Well I guess we should be grateful it is not Grand Final week.

[The Billings Method]

Well I guess we should be grateful it is not Grand Final week.

If it was GF week I can guarantee he'd be playing.

[MC Gusto]

Like most have said it is clearly something personal and quite serious. I am glad the club are 100% supportive of paddy first and foremost - as are all here based on the respect paid in everyone’s posts.

Really hope he can work through these matters and get back better than ever.

Might be a slow start to the season for the highly fancied saints..

[SaintPav]

I think Hunter is going to surprise a lot of people.

[Otiman]

This one has got me thinking.

I reckon in years gone by, probably only as little as 5 years, the club (whether it was ours or any other in the AFL) would have put this out to the media as a physical injury. A small hamstring strain or a hand injury or something innocuous.

While I'm sure Paddy doesn't want the 20 questions it brings up, being honest and upfront will be the best in the long run.

[CQ SAINT]

I think Hunter is going to surprise a lot of people.

I'm with you Pav. It seemed clear he was playing under instruction to body up and make the taps come out in a certain area in both games he played.
As a back up, that's what you'd aim for. The video of him is very different and as the No.1 ruck, he may just leap a little earlier and higher.
Around congestion and below his knees, I'm already pretty impressed.

[bangaulegend]

I think Hunter is going to surprise a lot of people.

I hope so Pav showed a bit against Carlton but it's a big step from a scratch match to the real deal but who knows it might just be the chance he needs to prove he can mix it with the big boys

[CQ SAINT]

Like most have said it is clearly something personal and quite serious. I am glad the club are 100% supportive of paddy first and foremost - as are all here based on the respect paid in everyone’s posts.

Really hope he can work through these matters and get back better than ever.

Might be a slow start to the season for the highly fancied saints..

Nothing wrong with a slow start, its good to test our mettle and depth.
Marshall, Crouch, Hanners, Geary, Ryder and possibly Carlisle missing early, gives opportunity.
Sure up a bit of depth, particularly the ruck and tall defenders. Test a few young mids like Clark, Bytel and Higgins. Extract some leadership from Dunstan, Gresham, Billings and Sinclair to support Steele and Ross. Challenge Battle and Wood to play lead up tall forward and give Members time and space.
Use the first 8 weeks to iron out a few wrinkles, then charge home with a good strong list behind us.
I dont think we will fold easily.

[Vazelos]

He has personal family problems let’s leave it at that.
Quality person and player

[bigcarl]

Hope Paddy can be back soon. He was magnificent last season.

I wonder if Carlisle would consider giving us a chop out as second ruck. Might be his chance to get back in favour.

[shanegrambeau]

I am bracing myself for the news that he has retired. I am sorry, that is the fatalist in my St Kilda brain. (I blame St Kilda for many things)

I bet my bottom yen on it, that he has considered retirement this week.

[CQ SAINT]

I am bracing myself for the news that he has retired. I am sorry, that is the fatalist in my St Kilda brain. (I blame St Kilda for many things)

I bet my bottom yen on it, that he has considered retirement this week.

He considered retirement in 2019. Then went around again and put everything he had into getting us to finals, hoping to snatch a flag.
He probably considered it again, when he went down in the final.
He is clearly considering it. Its a possibility. He is a champion with nothing left to prove but I reckon he will be back.

[ace]

I can accept personal leave just so long as he hasn't gone and done something totally stupid like Jack Steven.