Football and fatherhood at Windy Hill

Monday, February 8: Essendon stars on the rise Paddy Ryder and Leroy Jetta have got a lot more on their minds than just training as hard as they can in the build up to the first bounce of the 2010 AFL season.

The wonderful experience of fatherhood awaits the best of buddies ... and any day, too.

Ryder’s baby daughter is due any day and Jetta’s twin boys should be born in the middle of next week.

Everyone at the Marngrook Footy Show wishes Ryder and partner Jessica and Jetta and partner Kaisha all the very best.

These are truly exciting times for Ryder and Jetta.

The tremendously versatile Ryder is a superstar in the making.

The  athletic 21-year-old was a shining light for the Bombers after being thrown into the ruck after David Hille seriously injured his knee in the opening minutes of the Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.

He capped a best-on-ground display that day by being awarded the coveted Anzac Medal.

Ryder is capable of holding down centre half-back and centre half-forward.

The No. 7 pick in the 2005 National draft, Ryder has played 73 games and kicked 22 goals since making his debut in 2006.

He was recruited from East Fremantle.

Jetta, from South Fremantle, was taken at No. 18 in the 2006 National draft.

The lively forward has played 28 games and kicked 15 goals since making his debut in 2007.  

Essendon do battle with West Coast at Subiaco Oval as the AFL’s NAB Cup pre-season competition kicks off this Friday night.