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Liam Ryan shows energy with leap over 1.96m Oscar Allen as Eagles get early jump on pre-season

Headshot of Braden Quartermaine
Braden QuartermaineGeraldton Guardian
West Coast Eagles training at Mineral resources Park this morning. Liam Ryan jumps over Oscar Allen
Camera IconWest Coast Eagles training at Mineral resources Park this morning. Liam Ryan jumps over Oscar Allen Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian, Ian Munro Picture: Ian Munro

If your aim is to take the mark of the year, then it pays to put in some pre-season work.

Liam Ryan thought he would use teammate Oscar Allen as a test of his springs, leaping straight over the head of the 196cm utility in a light-hearted moment at training last week.

Having not always returned in tip-top shape, the All-Australian forward has presented in good nick as he begins his fourth AFL pre-season.

The 25-year-old looks to have picked up where he finished off last year, having kicked 10 goals across his final four appearances.

Ryan, a Rovers product from the Great Northern Football League, kicked 24 goals in 14 games in an injury-interrupted 2021 campaign and will seek to recapture his blistering form from the second half of 2020.

All eyes were set to be on how many experienced players returned for the start of West Coast’s pre-season campaign on Monday, as the team attempts to rebound from missing the finals for the first time since 2014.

West Coast’s first to fourth- year players were required to report for duty at Mineral Resources Park to start their preparation for the 2022 season.

The Eagles’ experienced players are entitled to another fortnight off, but after last playing on August 21, they have already been off for three months.

The Eagles’ 2021 season was ruined by injury with Ryan among a group of key players who each played 15 games or less, including Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, and Liam Duggan.

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