PORT ADELAIDE ruckman Paddy Ryder has a newfound respect for players who wear helmets on a regular basis while playing sport after donning the protective headwear for just a couple of days.
Ryder has been trialling wearing a helmet during training this week after having surgery to his cheekbone following a head collision with teammate Robbie Gray in the Power’s second JLT hit-out.
The ruckman will have to sport the helmet to play in the Power’s season opening clash against Melbourne on Saturday.
“I trained in it today and got through no problems,” The 2017 All-Australian said in a press conference on Thursday.
“It’s definitely not comfortable, all those guys that are running around with helmets on, I’ve got a bit of respect for those boys now.
“I definitely need it, I’ve got to listen to the doctors and physios. I asked them about throwing it to the side (for the game) but they said that’s not a smart thing to do.
“I’ll be wearing It for a couple of weeks for sure.”
Ryder initially wore a helmet at training on Tuesday, complaining that it hampered his peripheral vision and made it hard to see balls high in the air.
But after getting a smaller helmet and making a few adjustments, the big man is much more comfortable in wearing the head gear during the Power’s season opener against the Demons at the MCG.
And despite the surgery, Ryder feels physically strong – there are just a few other difficulties that come with having had a depressed cheekbone.
“I still can’t eat properly, eating softer sort of foods at the moment,” Ryder admitted, saying his food intake had been limited this week.
“A bit of soup, I don’t mind my scrambled eggs so I’ve been digging into that lately.
“I saw the surgeon yesterday he said everything is coming along fine,
“I had a good run around today, I feel really good, like the rest of the boys I’m looking forward to getting out there Saturday and putting on a bit of a show.”
And the 31-year-old will have his work cut out for him against Melbourne’s All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn, who will be playing his 100th game.
But Ryder has the added bonus of teaming up in the ruck with new Power recruit Scott Lycett.
“Its always hard going up against the better ruckmen, especially Gawny he’s one of those guys,” Ryder said.
“I’m confident in my ability and I guess when you get out there you forget about some of those little stuff anyway when you are in the middle of a game, if you are a little sore or if the helmet is covering my head a little you forget about that
“Once I put my hand up to play, you play whatever position you gotta play, all pre-season I’ve played as a forward and been a good back-up to Scotty, so we will look to continue that were coming up against one of the best in the game with Gawny so we are both going to need each other.”
