It took some convincing but Dean Pay has got his fellow Dubbo-born Kangaroo back on the paddock.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Pay's Canterbury Bulldogs have confirmed Andrew Ryan, one of the club's favourite sons, will take on a mentoring role with the side at next week's NRL Nines tournament in Perth.
Ryan, 41, will not only provide "invaluable" experience but will also be a member of the playing group at the pre-season carnival.
Bulldogs coach Pay and Ryan have plenty in common, not just the fact they were both born and raised in Dubbo.
The pair, at different times of their careers, represented NSW and the Australian Kangaroos, while they both played for the Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels.
But the pair are mostly fondly remember for their efforts in blue and white, and Pay said Ryan's standing at the club and wealth of experience will be massive for a young Bulldogs side looking to take the next step and push for the top eight in the 2020 NRL season.
"We've got one of the youngest squads in the competition so the more time our players spend with senior ex-players, they'll get a hell of a lot out of it," Pay told the Bulldogs' official website.
I've been at him for a little while to come and have a game with us.
- Dean Pay
"He [Ryan] speaks a lot of sense and they really appreciate the time he does spend here."
Ryan, or 'Bobcat' as he's well known, spent nine years with the Bulldogs during his playing days and was part of the side which won the 2004 title, while he also went on to captain the club.
The former back-rower has already been back at training and has spent plenty of time with the Bulldogs' current playing group.
READ ALSO:
"I've been at him for a little while to come and have a game with us," Pay, entering his third season as Bulldogs coach, said.
"He's been at training and he's been ripping in. His biggest worry is letting the boys down but we all know what he's like and how he contributes to everything he does.
"He does everything at 100 percent so we're really looking forward to it."
Ryan has most recently been coaching Souths in the Newcastle Rugby League competition while he's also worked for the NRL and as a commentator for a number of years.
The Nines is played on February 14-15.
The Bulldogs are in Pool 2, alongside Ryan's other former side Parramatta, the Cronulla Sharks, and St George Illawarra Dragons.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
