Former Collingwood defender Jakob Ryan hopes to join an AFL roster after four seasons with the Pies.
The 22-year-old played one league match in 2023, his debut season. He was subbed out during the game after an accidental knee to the head from Brisbane's Cameron Rayner at Marvel Stadium.
Ryan then spent the next three years trying to fight his way back into AFL selection frame; however, he fell short and was delisted at the end of the 2026 season despite performing well in the VFL.
In an interview with Code Sports, Ryan spoke about how his final exit meeting went with Collingwood.
"They said they felt I'd been going well this year … but with the backline they've got and [the] fact they're still going for a flag, it's going to be hard for me," Ryan told the publication.
"I did exactly what they (coaches) said, but it didn't pan out.
"Even if you're not sure if I'm going to play, just tell me that, instead of trying to pump up my tyres.
"I found that pretty hard to deal with.
"I was playing pretty well week by week, so that's where I felt pretty frustrated by it all and I sort of lost the love for footy."
"I got some of the clarity I was seeking in the end.
"It was more for my mental peace to realise why I wasn't getting a game.
"I was still a bit confused, but I've got nothing against them.
"They gave me the best four years of my life, and I achieved my dreams."
The 189cm defender came second in Collingwood's VFL best and fairest award after averaging 23 disposals, 14 kicks and five marks across 18 matches.
Ryan is part of a group of nine Pies departing the club this off-season with Joel Cochran (delisted), Harrison Coe (delisted), Wil Parker (delisted), Mitch Podhajski (delisted), Iliro Smit (delisted), Lachie Sullivan (delisted), Scott Pendlebury (Gold Coast) and Steele Sidebottom (retired).
Fellow defender Harry DeMattia has been delisted but will be re-drafted by the club, while Noah Howes has also been delisted but could be given a train-on role over summer pending on Collingwood's draft night haul.
Ryan was plucked out of South Australian club Glenelg with Pick 28 in the 2022 National Draft.
The hard-running defender said he hopes to get another chance at AFL level, but he's not sure whether he would be better off playing at home in the SANFL or stay in the VFL.
"I still feel like I'm still in that age bracket to go for it," he said.
"When I was growing up, I played footy because I loved the sport, so a big thing for me is to focus on finding the love for it again.
"My first priority is to hopefully win a flag.
"Then hopefully, by playing good enough, I can get picked up again."
