STRENGTHS:

+ Versatility
+ Clean hands
+ Aerial ability

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Strength
- Ground balls

Backing up his AFL National Draft Combine invite last year, Ryan Eyers earned a second combine invite, albeit a late call-up to the State Draft Combine. Still arguably a late/rookie prospect as he was last year, Eyers is a Mr Fix It in the sense that he has played all three key position roles. In 2021, the Murray Bushrangers tall was deployed as a key forward and ruck, and in 2022, he was effectively an exclusive key defender, and a good size at 198cm.

Eyers is still a developing talent, but it is easy to see he has come along this season. Playing behind the ball has brought out Eyers' positioning and reading the play, while his aerial ability has gone to a whole new level. Always possessing those clean hands, Eyers has become an intercept machine for the Bushrangers averaging 7.2 marks to go with 16.9 disposals. Those numbers are an improvement from 8.8 disposals and 2.3 marks in 2021.

Once again the over-age Eyers earned Allies representation, but did only manage the two matches for the carnival. His best footy came in Bushrangers colours, picking up eight or more marks in eight of his 13 games. Though he is still light considering the opponents he would likely play on at the top level, Eyers' late call-up indicates that clubs have interest in the versatile tall, and could be a long-term defender with his upside.