Brandon Ryan

Brandon Ryan (born 7 November 1997) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL), having previously played for the Hawthorn Football Club.

Brandon Ryan
Ryan in April 2025
Personal information
Full name	Brandon Ryan
Date of birth	(1997-11-07) 7 November 1997 (age 27)
Original team(s)	Northern Bullants (VFL)
Draft	No. 12, 2023 mid-season rookie draft
Debut	Round 20, 2023, Hawthorn vs. St Kilda, at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Height	200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Weight	91 kg (201 lb)
Position(s)	Forward
Club information
Current club	Brisbane Lions
Number	24
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2023	Hawthorn	3 (4)
2024–	Brisbane Lions	1 (1)
Total		4 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024.
Career highlights
2023 VFL Team of the Year Northern Bullants leading goalkicker: 2023
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early career

Brandon Ryan grew up at Barwon Heads, Victoria, where he learnt to play with the local juniors. He later played with the Geelong West Giants in the GFL. His style of play create interest from Geelong but only North Melbourne offered him a contract. He accepted a two-year deal with the North Melbourne to play in their VFL side. ^[1] He didn't play a game at North so after Covid lockdown finished he found himself at Maribyrnong Park in the EDFL. Former AFL player and current Northern Bullants coach Brodie Holland, invited him to do a preseason in 2023. As the Bullants were a stand-alone club, there were plenty of opportunities for an ambitious footballer. He played seven games before getting drafted.^[2]

AFL career

Ryan was the twelfth player picked in the 2023 mid-season draft, having made an impression playing for Northern Bullants in the Victorian Football League. By being drafted he lined up with Box Hill Hawks. He received a six-month contract with the Hawks.^[3]

He had to serve a suspension whilst he was with the Bullants.^[4] A series of strong performances for Box Hill saw him made his debut in round 20, 2023 against St Kilda at Docklands Stadium.^[5][6] He kicked a goal on debut. In his second game against ladder leaders Collingwood, he kicked 3 goals.

In September 2023 he signed a contract extension for season 2024,^[7] but was ultimately traded to Brisbane on the final day of trade period.^[8]

Family

Ryan is the cousin of Fremantle star defender Luke Ryan.^[9]

Statistics

AFL

Updated to the end of 2023.^[10]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)							Votes
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2023	Hawthorn	46	3	4	1	15	3	18	10	3	1.3	0.3	5.0	1.0	6.0	3.3	1.0	0
AFL career			3	4	1	15	3	18	10	3	1.3	0.3	5.0	1.0	6.0	3.3	1.0	0

VFL

Updated to the end of round 13, 2024.^[11]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2023	Northern Bullants	14	7	18	10	65	33	98	35	10	2.6	1.4	9.3	4.7	14.0	5.0	1.4
2023	Box Hill	46	8	13	15	55	34	89	43	9	1.6	1.9	6.9	4.3	11.1	5.4	1.1
2024	Brisbane Lions	24	8	13	8	61	38	99	39	8	1.6	1.0	7.6	4.8	12.4	4.9	1.0
VFL-listed career			23	44	33	181	105	286	117	27	1.9	1.4	7.9	4.6	12.4	5.1	1.2