By Callum Ludwig
The Outer East has proven to be a solid platform for the launch of football stars and Woori Yallock Junior Football Club’s Jak Ryan is another big talent coming through their ranks, featuring for the U16 Vic Metro side in their win over Vic Country on Saturday 11 July.
The Under 17s player has grown up around the Woori Yallock Football Club, with his dad Danny Ryan a five-time Woori Yallock premiership player, three-time senior premiership coach, 300-gamer and life member.
Jak said as a little kid he always looked up to his dad and his teammates.
“They definitely were role models to me and I wanted to be one of them one day and aspire to be like them,” he said.
“Woori has definitely played a huge part in my life and I can’t be any more thankful for them for the opportunities they’ve been given me. To come here two or so days a week, get around the boys and the club where I started my football journey, I couldn’t be more proud or thankful.”
Jak and his Woori Yallock teammates are no strangers to success, having won back-to-back premierships in U11s and U12s in 2017 and 2018, as well as being the top-placed side in U15 Yarra division in 2021 with only one loss before the season was ended prematurely.
Jak said he has been fortunate to have such a strong team around him.
“It was awesome to experience a couple of flags with the boys and share a lot of memories with them over those flags and finals,” he said.
“To be able to play with the same group almost every year was awesome, I’ve built some really good connections with the football club and absolutely loved being here.”
After eight games played, the Woori Yallock Under 17s side is sitting pretty in first, unbeaten and with a three-win advantage over any other side.
U17s coach and Woori Yallock Senior Captain Kody Busoli said Jak is a quiet achiever.
“He doesn’t talk too much, but he’s a pretty humble kid to be perfectly honest and he gets on really well with the boys,” he said.
“He’s got a big influence on his teammates and I think they do on him as well, he’s a pretty big team player, but doesn’t mind doing the flashy things and does use his pace pretty well.”
The Vic Metro team are currently competing in the National Championships, with games to come against South Australia at Metricon Oval on the Gold Coast and against Western Australia at Thebarton Oval in Adelaide.
Jak said it was an awesome experience to play at such a high level with great players all around him.
“The footy was really hot, and the Country boys came out firing in a fast-paced game. Certainly a bit different to local footy and even Eastern Ranges,” he said.
“The games coming up will be a chance for all of us to bond and get a bit closer and make new mates, I’m definitely looking forward to my family coming up as well.”
Vic Metro held on to beat Vic Country 14.15, 99 to 11.6, 72 and AFL Draft editor and analyst named Jak amongst the best players on the day, noting that his speed ‘left opponents in his wake upon burning into the forward 50.’
Jak said his speed and willingness to bring others into the game are some of his strengths as a player.
“At Vic Metro, I’ve been playing a half-forward or wing role so I’ve taking up ground and creating a lot of space using my running ability,” he said.
“I also love to bring others into the game, it’s all about bringing the whole team into the game not just myself to get the result in the end that we want to.”
