Gavin Wanganeen is helping the Power in its attempts to lure Paddy Ryder to the club.
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Port Adelaide premiership-winning player Gavin Wanganeen is helping the club in its attempts to lure Paddy Ryder to the Power.
Port are reportedly battling the Brisbane Lions for Ryder, who has requested a trade from the Bombers.
Wanganeen crossed from Essendon to Port Adelaide in 1997, but says when he first spoke to Ryder he wanted to make sure the ruckman was certain he wanted to leave the Bombers.
“I said that to Paddy out of my respect for Essendon,” Wanganeen told the Adelaide Advertiser.
“My first reaction to Paddy was to say, ‘Stay at Essendon’. But if he is gone (from Essendon) mentally – and there is no turning back, I want him to know about Port Adelaide.”
Brisbane are believed to still be in the hunt for Ryder, however Wanganeen says the 26-year-old would be a valued man at Alberton.
“If Paddy was thinking of Brisbane, I wanted him to give Port Adelaide the opportunity to chat to him,” Wanganeen said.
“That’s where I came in with my telephone call to Paddy.
“I wanted Paddy to at least give Port Adelaide a go. I wanted him to know how Port Adelaide is placed – and how he would be a valuable player to the Power. Also, he should know how great the indigenous culture is at Port Adelaide.
“My message was the Port Adelaide Football Club is going places. If Paddy values a premiership, Port Adelaide is the club to be at.
“But my first advice to Paddy was not to walk away from Essendon unless he was 100 per cent sure there is no turning back.”
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