Tara Murray
Young Hillside forward Bailey Ryan has been recognised as the best young male talent in the Essendon District Football League.
Ryan, who was playing his first full season of senior football, was named the competition’s AGA Apprenticeships Plus Rising Star.
Ryan played in all 12 games in the division 1 season, averaging just under two and half goals a game, while being named in the best five times.
The 20-year-old was also named in the division 1 team of the year on the half forward flank.
It was a big season for the former Western Jets player, who made his senior debut in 2019.
In a video message on the EDFL website, Ryan was thanked a number of people.
“I’m very appreciative of being selected as the men’s rising star for 2021, in what was an extremely tough year for everybody,” he said.
“I would like to thank the EDFL for keeping the season going as long as they did.
“I would also like to thank the Hillside Football Club, all my affiliated coaches particularly Charlie Denaro, as well as all my teammates for keeping the season enjoyable.”
The Sunbury Lions’ Terira Fry was named the women’s rising star.
