Jordan Ridley has historically been the sort of fantasy player who is highly dependent on the planets aligning around him to set up his best game, with his greatest returns when he doesn't have to pay much attention at all to a tall forward. In this he is much like James Sicily or Darcy Moore, and can be similarly devastating on the counter attack. Essendon is a team still trying to find its best 22 to deliver a long-awaited finals win, and the latest combination thrown up by coach Brad Scott features Ridley as a traditional centre half back. Can he score and defend as well?
Jordan Ridley has historically been the sort of fantasy player who is highly dependent on the planets aligning around him to set up his best game, with his greatest returns when he doesn't have to pay much attention at all to a tall forward. In this he is much like James Sicily or Darcy Moore, and can be similarly devastating on the counter attack. Essendon is a team still trying to find its best 22 to deliver a long-awaited finals win, and the latest combination thrown up by coach Brad Scott features Ridley as a traditional centre half back. Can he score and defend as well?
Jordan Ridley was one of the shining lights of the Ben Rutten coaching era last year, bringing back memories of Brendon Goddard as he commanded the ball at will in a roaming defensive role which did not involve a lot of man-on-man defensive duties. His game this year has regressed, or perhaps just adapted to the new realities of the 6-6-6 rule and the rise of the defensive wingman. He plays third tall defender now and watches Mason Redman run away with the footy more often than before, leaving his fantasy output moribund. Maybe a new coach would help?
Jordan Ridley is part of an Essendon backline which is coping okay with the switching of Cale Hooker to a permanent forward position, with James Stewart and Jayden Laverde going back and a few kids rounding out the tall defender stocks. Ridley's best game is similar to Nick Haynes or Tom Stewart where he can zone off from smalls to intercept rather than having to play back shoulder on a tall, and the Bombers selections have reflected that for the most part this year despite some injuries. His disposal rates have ticked up by four this year, adding upside to his premium stocks.
Alien roles for Ridley
Things were looking great for Jordan Ridley after an impressive 2019 Anzac Day performance, but he survived only one senior game more until being demoted to the VFL, thrown up the field to a wing and also forward. He passed the 25 disposal mark four times out of 16 for Williamstown, plus 24 in the losing final. The best parts of his game at the top level have been intercept marking and disposal by foot. Essendon have a fair few of Ridley's type, and Martin Gleeson and Mason Redman were preferred in the interceptor half back role that was previously filled by Brendon Goddard. They have a few more wings and flankers ahead of him if he is being aimed at those spots too, though with the club's historically poor injury record he will probably get another chance. Too many red flags to burn a draft pick on him, nonetheless.
Ridley wrapped in enigma
After a season and a bit of VFL apprenticeship, Jordan Ridley arrived in the seniors in round 9 last year and racked up 25 touches on debut off half back in a big win over the Cats. Single-figure disposal totals in next two weeks saw him return to the reserves to play out the season. Disposal efficiency is his best stat, including 73% by foot. Ridley is one of a number of half backs jockeying for position in the post-Brendon Goddard era at the Dons, a race in which Aaron Francis took a lead late last season. Given preseason fitness concerns on other contenders, Ridley may sneak through on the rails for round 1. Consistency of output is the concern, which makes him a speculator pick.
Solution for curly Ridley
Defence seems to be the spot the Bombers want Jordan Ridley to play, after a junior career in a variety of positions. Following an early back stress fracture, he played out 2017 in the VFL starting from June to the tune of 16 touches, six marks and 70 fantasy points with an outstanding efficiency of 84%. It looks like Ridley is being groomed to eventually replace Martin Gleeson, as they play the same sort of role at their respective levels and the younger man may play it better. However, with James Kelly often the plus-one in defence in recent years that spot may be his first ticket into the seniors. One for your JLT watchlist.
