MASKELL Medallist Liam Ryan will captain the Hampden Football Netball League in Saturday’s interleague clash against Mornington Peninsula at Camperdown.
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The North Warrnambool Eagles skipper proudly accepted the top job at the Bottle Greens’ training session last night at Leura Oval.
“It’s something I’m honoured to have,” he said.
“It’s not something I set out to achieve.
“I just love playing interleague and want to play interleague as much as I can.”
The 2008 league best-and-fairest winner was handpicked by coach David Cassidy and assistant coaches Mark Dwyer, Matthew Irving and Nick O’Sullivan.
After pulling on the traditional bottle green jumper on four occasions, Ryan said he was ready to lead his team onto the interleague stage this weekend.
As a skipper, the 27-year-old said he preferred to work hard on the field rather than give lectures.
“I’m fairly quiet, I don’t go out there and rant and rave,” he said.
“I just lead by example.
“Hopefully it will help me play better and hopefully the team are happy to have me there.”
Ryan has been playing centre-half-back for the Eagles this season but will line up on the ball for Hampden.
He is set to be a main target of the peninsula team as the Bottle Greens plan to attack from the middle.
“We will play a running game,” he said.
“We are pretty quick and skilful.
“We have a good mix of experience and young guys and we probably have more talls available than in previous years.”
Hampden will have its final training session and jumper presentation tomorrow night in Camperdown.
Ryan admitted it was a “big deal” for all players involved.
“For some guys this is the highest level of football they will ever get to play,” he said.
“It means a lot to represent your club and the league.”
Cassidy said Ryan was the obvious choice for the captaincy.
“He has proved himself at North Warrnambool, he is their best player year in year out,” he said.
“He is dedicated to interleague and epitomises what we’re looking for.”
South Warrnambool’s Jarrod Thompson was named vice-captain.
