Melbourne's late recruitment of delisted Hawthorn defender Bodie Ryan was one of the surprise moves of this year's trade period.
Ryan was traded for Pick 107 as Hawthorn sent the 21-year-old to Melbourne in a buzzer-beater move.
The 187cm defender made his AFL debut this season and showed promise in the backline. However, the Hawks' defensive depth runs deep and he was not offered a contract at the conclusion of the season.
Speaking to Melbourne Football Club Media, Ryan said he thinks he can add an element of flexibility to Steven King's side.
"At the moment, I see myself as a defender. I can play on a small or a tall, so I'm pretty versatile in that space," Ryan said.
"But I can also go up forward, kick some goals and be exciting that way as well.
"You've got to be thinking about the team a lot more than yourself. You want to be winning games and aspiring to get some silverware."
Ryan was taken with Pick 46 in the 2023 National Draft out of Glenelg in South Australia.
Melbourne had an impressive first season under King and currently have a squad with stars on every line.
As a likely backman next year, Ryan said he has already formed a connection with gun Dees key defender and premiership winner Jake Lever.
“Obviously the captain, Max Gawn, would be nice to meet, finally. And then the likes of Jake Lever, Kade Chandler and Harry Sharp as well,” he said.
“Jake Lever's been nice on the text messages so far, and we've had a good chat. I'm really lucky to have some good support already.”
