EFC: What do you remember about your first senior game for Eastlake? How did you feel leading up to the game?
Dan: My first game was against Tuggeranong at Greenway in 2009. I was a wide eyed 18 year old from the country and Nathan Clarke who was the senior coach at the time picked me in the seniors in round 11 that year. I remember being really nervous, I'd never played footy at that level before. I started on the bench and I remember about 10 minutes in I was called to go on the ground. There was a stoppage right across the other side of the ground, so I sprinted on to get to the stoppage, I was about 50m from the ball and whack, Jimmy Rice lined me up off the ball and smashed me. It knocked me around and winded me pretty badly, but I ended up playing out the game and getting a few kicks. We won and I've actually got to know Jimmy well since, he's a ripper bloke.
EFC: What are your thoughts on playing your 100th senior game for the club?
Dan: It's something that honestly means the world to me. I found it pretty tough moving from the country back in '09 and if it wasn't for Eastlake I probably would have moved home, Eastlake were my family away from home. I'm forever grateful to the Roulstone family who looked after me when I first came to Canberra and Dingo is now one of my best mates. I've made my closest mates here and to have my name on the board at the club alongside some of our great past players is something I'll always reflect positively on. I still dream of winning a premiership at Eastlake (I have literally had dreams about it) and that's my ultimate goal. I'm still only 26 so hopefully I can run around in the red and black for a few more seasons.
EFC: Your family will be at the game this weekend. What does their support mean to you in relation to your footy journey?
Dan: My family all know that footy has been my lifelong passion. I'd hate to know how many km's Mum did driving me and my sisters all over the country side to play footy and netball. Dad has always been a huge supporter of my footy and I was really proud to play some junior footy for Ariah Park where Dad played and the Ryall name is pretty well known out there. My girlfriend Jess is a bit of a footy nut in her own right, so I'm lucky to have her being so supportive. Especially this year when I'm traveling back from Sydney to play and only see her on weekends, she is still supportive of me playing footy and comes to every game sitting in the cold to watch. She also never complains when I come home grumpy after a loss.
EFC: Is there any advice you’ve received that has served you well as a player or a coach?
Dan: In terms of playing I've had some great coaches. Probably the most comfortable I felt in my playing days was under Nathan Clarke and Daniel Archer. Arch filled me with so much confidence, I was always so excited to play. He always told me to play my natural game. Nutta probably taught me what it meant to play good senior footy and just training under his coaching made me a better player. As a coach, the best advice I got was to get to know your players. My mantra when I came into coach was to make Eastlake a better place on and off the field and to help the boys to grow into really good people. I think I was able to set the club on a good path in this area which I'm very proud of.
EFC: What is your favourite Eastlake memory?
Dan: Too many to choose from, but....
Off Field: My first footy trip to Airlie Beach in '09. We had 37 guys and it was good fun. I was still only 18 and Mum lent me some money for the trip. On the first night I got stuck playing the pokies with Jason Duce and Ben Maiden, before I knew it all my cash was gone and I was on the phone to Mum again for a top up. But it was great fun, as were Mad Monday's and Uni Pub sessions after the games.
On Field: First would be winning a final with a kick after the siren against Ainslie, unreal game. Second would be beating the Swans in a prelim to make the GF in 2010. I think we finished the season 6-10, just made the finals and made the GF. Unfortunately we lost but it was great to play in one. My first win as a coach last year was awesome too.
EFC: Finally, how would you summarise your Eastlake career up to now?
Dan: It's a really hard one. I'd summarise my career as one that still remains unfulfilled due to having not won a flag, that's something that burns deep inside me, to the point where I can't go to the AFL Canberra GF to watch other teams win. But I'd like to be remembered as someone who has always been passionate about Eastlake, who loves the club and hopefully Eastlake is a better place for me having been there. But if I retired tomorrow, my time at Eastlake sits in the top 1-2 experiences in my life that I value, I absolutely love the place.
Eastlake vs Queanbeyan at Allinsure Park, Sunday 2nd July at 2pm
Second Grade at 12pm
Rising Stars at 10am
Eastlake Women vs Queanbeyan Women at Manuka Oval, Saturday 1st July at 9:30am
Last Modified on 26/06/2017 12:24