Draftee Jakob Ryan is learning plenty in his early days at Collingwood.
The young South Australian was taken by the Magpies with pick 28 in last month’s National Draft, arriving at the club recently to kickstart his first AFL pre-season.
Ryan, drafted out of SANFL club Glenelg, is a massive fan of Hawthorn’s James Sicily.
So much so that he tries to emulate the way the Hawks defender plays, particularly the way he goes about unsettling his opponent.
“I feel that’s one thing I’ve done in the past couple of years, just to really get under my opponent’s skin,” Ryan said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“That’s one thing that I wouldn’t mind taking in. It makes me feel a bit confident and hopefully intimidates others.”
Despite his plan to intimidate, he has been assimilating quietly at the AIA Centre, even admitting to nervousness around skipper Scott Pendlebury.
“Everyone has been pretty good, really welcoming,” the 18-year-old said.
“When you see Pendles, I was a little bit nervous at first, but it’s been all good. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Ryan arrived at Collingwood armed with a fairly serious mullet but insists there are no immediate plans to part ways with his resplendent locks.
“I don’t think I’ll dye it or anything,” he added.
“Craig McRae said just to be yourself so it’s not going to be cut and I’ll see how long I can grow it.”
Flourishing as a high half-back who can also operate on a wing, Ryan impressed for Glenelg in 2022 and was also a standout performer for the South Australia U18 side.
He is keen to continue learning from first-year Magpies sensation Nick Daicos as he goes about plotting a way into McRae’s starting lineup in early 2023.
“Someone like Nick Daicos,” said Ryan when asked who he is working closely with.
“Just because he’s that running half-back and is really skilful. He’s been one player that I’ve been able to talk to heaps and ask a lot of questions.
“I’d have to say Nick has been really good for my development so far.
“Obviously the goal would be to play Round 1, but also for me if I’m lucky enough to play VFL or AFL, I just want to be consistent.
“Hopefully we can get some wins on the board, that’s the thing for me that’s my real main goal.”
Ryan was one of three Collingwood draftees taken in the National Draft, joining Ed Allan (pick 19) and Joe Richards (pick 48) in the black and white.