Each week AFL Europe is profiling a European player and finding out how they got into the great game of Aussie Rules and a bit about themselves. If you’d like a profile or know of someone who would, then email ben.durance@afleurope.org to receive a question sheet.

This week were are profiling the Paris Cockerels gun centre half-back, Huw Ryan. The Aussie-turned-Frenchman has been plying his trade in France for the past few years. Check out his profile below.

Name:

Huw Ryan

Club:

Paris Cockerels

Nationality:

French/Australian

What position do you play?

Full-Back

AFL team you support:

Essendon Bombers

Favourite AFL player:

Nic Naitanui

How did you find out about AFL?

I played football as a child and picked it back up again in Paris vis the annual ANZAC Match in Villers-Bretonneux

How long have you been playing for?

I’ve been playing for two years in France

What is your memory of your first Aussie Rules game?

Being put in the ruck against a man-child, and the frost being crispy under foot

Best AFL moment?

Winning the French Premiership in the 2014-2015 season

Any other interesting information, quirky stories or interesting things about yourself?

I stopped playing Aussie rules for 12-13 years then picked it back up when I arrived in France, first at the ANZAC match then with the Cockerels.