A rover, he amassed a club high 478 disposals, at just under 24 a game and was Collingwood's second best goal-kicker behind Brian Taylor with 28 goals.
[1] He also finished runner-up in the Copeland Trophy and was his club's best performer at the Brownlow Medal, securing nine votes.
[2] The following season he was again a regular fixture in the team, playing 18 games, including a semi final.
[1] Collingwood traded Ryan to the Sydney Swans at the end of the 1989 season, in return for draft picks 22 and 82, which were used on Mathew Hanrahan and Troy Lehmann.
[1] After just one year in Sydney he again changed clubs, this time to the Brisbane Bears through the pre-season draft.