BIO

Kieran Ryan played his early football for the Athelstone Football Club and for Saint Ignatius' College.

In 1987 he played seven games for the Norwood under 17s and, in 1988, every game (23) for the Norwood Under 19 premiership team.

The following season he made 18 appearances for the under 19s and was named "best player in finals"; the Redlegs however were beaten in the Grand Final. He also played five games for the reserves during the year.

After playing 22 games for the reserves in 1990, he made his league debut against Woodville-West Torrens in round six 1991 and played 11 senior games in his first year.

In 1992/1993 he was restricted to 16 appearances in the reserves.

Ryan played 10 League games in 1994 and received a meritorious performance award for his 13 games in the reserves.

In 1995 he added 21 games to his reserves tally, received another meritorious performance award and played in a reserves premiership. Named in a back pocket, he was a solid performer in the 13 goal grand final win against South Adelaide at Football Park.

The following season he played three league games and 18 for the reserves. Unfortunately Norwood were defeated in the 1996 reserves decider by Port Adelaide. He was the recipient of another meritorious performance award.

The Norwood reserves were again defeated in the 1997 Grand Final, although Ryan was high in Norwood's best players in its one point loss to Port Adelaide. He played in all 24 games during the year and his efforts were rewarded with another meritorious performance award.

An excellent and reliable team man, Kieran Ryan played 125 reserves games in the period 1989-1997, and was Reserves captain 1991-1997.

He later joined the Athelstone Football Club in the Adelaide Footy League.

R. Cialini May, 2024