Luke Ryan

Originally from the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale, Ryan played junior football for Aberfeldie, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District Football League, as well as some games for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. He then played for the Coburg Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 2016, winning the Fothergill-Round Medal as the most promising young player in the league. In 2017, he was awarded the Simpson Medal for the best player on ground during Peel Thunders victory over Subiaco in the West Australian Football League grand final.

He was recruited as a mature age player to Fremantle with their third selection, 66th overall, in the 2016 AFL draft. He made his AFL debut in round 11 of the 2017 AFL season against Collingwood at Domain Stadium, after playing well for Fremantle's reserves team, Peel Thunder, in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).

Ryan received the AFL Rising Star nomination for round 20 after gaining 28 possessions and taking 16 marks in the Dockers' 23-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at Domain Stadium. Ryan also received two votes in the 2017 Brownlow Medal from this round 20 match. Ryan kicked his first AFL goal in round 13 of the 2018 season during Fremantle's 57 point win over Carlton.

Luke Ryan was awarded the Beacon Award for the best first year player during the 2017 AFL season. An outstanding performance throughout the 2020 AFL season would see Ryan win the Doig Medal and named in the 2020 All-Australian team.

The 2021 AFL season saw Ryan play 19 games, missing three games due to injury, and finishing sixth in the Fremantle Dockers best and fairest.

Ryan played all 22 games during the 2022 AFL season, a career best, as well as in Fremantle's two finals appearances. A highlight of his season being his 32 disposal effort against the Western Bulldogs in round 21. Ryan played his 100th game during round 16 against Port Adelaide. Ryan was among Fremantle's best during their elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, collecting 31 disposals and a game-high 25 kicks. He signed a four-year contract extension at the end of the season tying him to Fremantle until at least 2027.

Round one of the 2023 AFL season saw Ryan gather a game high 37 disposals against St Kilda. He was one of Fremantle's best players in round 20 during their 7-point win over Geelong at Kardinia Park collecting 28 disposals. He finished the season ranked elite in marks, kicks and metres gained by Champion Data.

Ryan collected 33 disposals and ten marks in Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the Brisbane Lions, and 23 disposals the next week against North Melbourne. He collected 27 disposals against Adelaide and was an integral part of Fremantle's defense helping to keep the crows star forwards goalless. As of the mid-season bye he was ranked elite in disposals, spoils, kicks, kicking efficiency, marks, rebound 50s and meters gained. He played his 150th game in round 19 against Melbourne during Fremantle's annual Starlight Purple Haze Game, and in doing so earned himself a life membership at the Dockers. He was named at back pocket in the 2024 All-Australian team at the season's end.

After an interrupted pre-season following shoulder reconstruction surgery in 2025, Ryan was not selected for the Dockers' 2026 season opener. He was left out of Fremantle's line-up for the first time since May 2021, ending his 107-game streak of consecutive games, the third-longest run in club history. In Round 23, Ryan played his 200th game for Fremantle, becoming just the 13th player to do so.

Luke is the cousin of former Brisbane Lions tall Brandon Ryan.

Children include a son who was born early 2026 with ex-partner Kylie Mann. Sports Addict

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

Notes