Tatura’s Chris Ryan played his 200th Goulburn Valley League senior game on Saturday.
Chris “Buffa” Ryan is Bulldog royalty, but akin to his selfless role as a defender, he is quick to dismiss the limelight.
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Playing his 200th Goulburn Valley League senior game for Tatura in the round 11 fixture against Shepparton, Ryan was honoured with a banner and guard of honour from both clubs at Deakin Reserve.
But the backman was more than happy to get the formalities over with and play some hard-nosed football.
“It was all a bit overwhelming,” Ryan said with a laugh.
“It’s weird playing milestones, all of a sudden there’s this attention on you.
“I don’t like it all that much, I was pretty happy to get it out the way and get the game started.
“But I certainly felt the love and appreciated all the messages I got throughout the week, it was nice.”
One of the last standing premiership players from 2012, there are plenty of accolades for Tatura’s young pups to look up to in Ryan, but most commendably, it is his commitment to the one-club town.
While there have been pit stops at other teams in his journey, Ryan’s love of the club keeps him coming back even with a two-hour commute to Tatura Park.
But it should be no surprise that he returns.
The Ryan name is synonymous with Tatura, with parents, grandparents and other relations tied into numerous roles in the Bulldogs’ football and netball departments.
“I love the joint,” he said.
“It’s worth travelling back because the club’s been good to me and I wouldn’t be able to leave it in a worse spot than when I started.
“It still means a lot (to add to the Ryan legacy).
“There’s not as much family around the club currently, but my aunty gave me the life membership medallions of some of my family after the game, so it’s nice to continue the strong connection, not just to Tat, but the league as well.”
Tatura is rebuilding towards winning football again and Ryan wants to be a part of it.
Ryan conquered the GVL summit as a 21-year-old and after all his good fortune, wants to ensure the Bulldogs build is successful so others can achieve it too.
A young Chris Ryan (right) in 2011.
“It was relief,” Ryan said of his emotions on grand final day in 2012.
“It was all I ever wanted, to be a Tatura premiership player.
“I’d been around the club forever and seen cousins win in the 1990s and early 2000s, so to have been able to do that was awesome.
“I was 21, so I was very lucky to have gotten one so early, but I’ll always remember it.
“The club is coming along now. It’s been a tough year with injuries, it seems every week there’s a new bloke playing on the wing.
“We had a pretty good month there where we competed well on the stats, but just haven’t converted that to the scoreboard. There’s signs we’re moving in the right direction.”
As for Ryan’s future, he doesn’t expect 200 to be the final milestone of his career.
After battling back issues and a fractured patella, Ryan is aiming to make the most of a healthy body.
“At the moment I want to keep playing for sure, I want to keep coming back to Tat as well,” he said.
“Got a second kid due in summer and, with the two-hour travel, it will be dependant on managing those priorities.
“But to be playing free of pain after spending years hurt with my back in my 20s and then the fractured patella, I’m really enjoying it and want to play as long as I can while feeling physically good.”
Ryan will tick over to game 201 against Mooroopna on Saturday, as the Bulldogs continue their hunt for a maiden win in 2026.
Saturday’s 98.5 One FM Goulburn Valley League broadcast will be Benalla’s clash against Echuca, live from Benalla Showgrounds at 1.30pm.
