During the 1994 NSWRL season, Ryan played from the interchange bench for defending premiers Brisbane when they hosted British champions Wigan for the 1994 World Club Challenge.
Also during the 1994 season, Ryan was suspended for three matches after being found guilty of biting South Sydney player Jason Bell.
Only a suspension, which ruled him out of the 1998 NRL grand final, denied him the opportunity of winning a third premiership with the Broncos in 1998.
At the end of 1999, Ryan left the Brisbane club to play rugby union with the ACT Brumbies.
[2] During the 2000s Ryan, who has been described by Craig Bellamy as "one of the most devastating defenders to have played the game", returned to the Brisbane Broncos as a part-time defence coach.