Ryan Lonie
Encyclopedia
Ryan Lonie is a former Collingwood footballer in the Australian Football League
. Lonie is a hard-running back flanker who over the duration of his seven years at the club threatened to become a game-breaking wingman, however he did not make the transition.
(Hawthorn, then Port Adelaide) playing for the Frankston Rovers Junior Football Club. He had a raking left boot and superb pace and run on the football field that made the crowd rise to the occasion when he got the ball in space. Lonie played for the MPNFL
club Frankston Bombers, before playing in the TAC Cup
for the Dandenong Stingrays. He was snapped up in the 3rd round of the 2000 AFL Draft
at number 34. He made his debut for the club in round one of season 2001 against Hawthorn. Called up as a late replacement for an injured James Clement
, Lonie was one of the Pies' finest in the four-point loss. He quickly established himself as a crowd favourite, with his long, daring dashes through the midfield to within goal scoring range on his raking left boot, epitomised by his two goals in the Anzac Day clash with Essendon in round five, only days after receiving an AFL Rising Star nomination for his performance against Richmond. Lonie managed to play the first 21 matches of the season, and was only absent for the round 22 victory over the Kangaroos due to a shoulder injury. His performances saw his name bandied around as a favourite to win the AFL Rising Star Award, though St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke
proved a worthy winner.
The following season saw Lonie struggle with the dreaded osteitus pubis and second-year blues, as the Magpies charged towards their first finals appearance since 1994. He managed 18 games, and began slowly, spending plenty of time with VFL affiliate Williamstown. However, Lonie bolstered his stocks with a stunning finals performance, which saw him return to his hard running, rebounding form, his ability to meet a challenge head on a feature of the Magpies' September. The Qualifying Final upset over Port Adelaide had much to do with Lonie's audacity - two goals from long range helping keep the Power at bay. It was Lonie's line-breaking run and searching left foot which hit the leading Anthony Rocca
midway through the third term of the Preliminary Final against Adelaide, which paved the way for Rocca's now famous 75m goal. He was also one of the Magpies' best performers in the Grand Final against the Brisbane Lions
from the wing, opposed to Nigel Lappin.
's old number three. He once again played all games for the season, though his form remained solid if not spectacular, as the Magpies crashed back to earth. Late in the season, Lonie was thrust into attack, where he prospered for a short while, with three goals scored against Port Adelaide
under the MCG lights in another loss in round 21.
in round 18, but reappeared in the final match of the year against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome.
He survived the cull, and rebounded in impressive fashion, playing all 23 matches in 2006, though his trademark run and carry from defence had dried up somewhat, Lonie then acting as a linkman between the ball carriers. 2007 was a year the boy from Frankston would rather forget, playing only four games as osteitis pubis
again took its toll. At the end of Collingwood's 2008 season Lonie retired at the age of 25.
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Lonie is a hard-running back flanker who over the duration of his seven years at the club threatened to become a game-breaking wingman, however he did not make the transition.
Early career (2001 - 2002)
Lonie starred as a junior footballer with his twin brother NathanNathan Lonie
Nathan Lonie is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.The identical twin brother of Collingwood player Ryan Lonie, the two Lonies not only share identical looks but share very similar footballing characteristics - possessing long kicking abilities and playing a...
(Hawthorn, then Port Adelaide) playing for the Frankston Rovers Junior Football Club. He had a raking left boot and superb pace and run on the football field that made the crowd rise to the occasion when he got the ball in space. Lonie played for the MPNFL
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League
The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League is an Australian rules football competition, governed by the Victorian Country Football League. The MPNFL contains teams near the south eastern region of Victoria, Australia...
club Frankston Bombers, before playing in the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
for the Dandenong Stingrays. He was snapped up in the 3rd round of the 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
at number 34. He made his debut for the club in round one of season 2001 against Hawthorn. Called up as a late replacement for an injured James Clement
James Clement
James Clement is a former professional Australian rules footballer for Collingwood and Fremantle in the Australian Football League...
, Lonie was one of the Pies' finest in the four-point loss. He quickly established himself as a crowd favourite, with his long, daring dashes through the midfield to within goal scoring range on his raking left boot, epitomised by his two goals in the Anzac Day clash with Essendon in round five, only days after receiving an AFL Rising Star nomination for his performance against Richmond. Lonie managed to play the first 21 matches of the season, and was only absent for the round 22 victory over the Kangaroos due to a shoulder injury. His performances saw his name bandied around as a favourite to win the AFL Rising Star Award, though St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke
Justin Koschitzke
Justin Gregory Koschitzke is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Career overview:Recruited in the 2000 AFL Draft at pick number two, there were high expectations on Koschitzke from a young age...
proved a worthy winner.
The following season saw Lonie struggle with the dreaded osteitus pubis and second-year blues, as the Magpies charged towards their first finals appearance since 1994. He managed 18 games, and began slowly, spending plenty of time with VFL affiliate Williamstown. However, Lonie bolstered his stocks with a stunning finals performance, which saw him return to his hard running, rebounding form, his ability to meet a challenge head on a feature of the Magpies' September. The Qualifying Final upset over Port Adelaide had much to do with Lonie's audacity - two goals from long range helping keep the Power at bay. It was Lonie's line-breaking run and searching left foot which hit the leading Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca is a former Australian rules footballer who has played with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the Australian Football League...
midway through the third term of the Preliminary Final against Adelaide, which paved the way for Rocca's now famous 75m goal. He was also one of the Magpies' best performers in the Grand Final against the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
from the wing, opposed to Nigel Lappin.
Career high (2003 - 2004)
In 2003, Lonie did not miss a game, playing all 25 games of the season, which saw the Pies reach the Grand Final once again, though again missing out on the ultimate prize, receiving a 50-point trouncing at the hands of the Brisbane Lions. Lonie's personal form was average at best, his run from defence becoming less frequent, as his impact upon matches continued to dwindle. His loss of form was highlighted in the final two weeks of the season, when he produced no more than 5 touches in either the Preliminary or Grand Finals. 2004 heralded a move from Lonie's traditional number 37 guernsey into Mark RichardsonMark Richardson (footballer)
Mark Richardson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Australian Football League .Recruited from Macleod, Richardson came from a strong footballing family...
's old number three. He once again played all games for the season, though his form remained solid if not spectacular, as the Magpies crashed back to earth. Late in the season, Lonie was thrust into attack, where he prospered for a short while, with three goals scored against Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
under the MCG lights in another loss in round 21.
Later career (2005 - 2008)
Lonie's 2005 was perhaps his most disappointing season at the club; he managed only 10 games and spent the majority of the first half of the season with Williamstown. His omission after round two cut his remarkable string of 59 matches in succession spent in the senior side. He found his way back into the side midseason, and enjoyed a good patch in the seniors. This was vital, as his future at the club was at stake. He suffered a minor knee injury against FremantleFremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in round 18, but reappeared in the final match of the year against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome.
He survived the cull, and rebounded in impressive fashion, playing all 23 matches in 2006, though his trademark run and carry from defence had dried up somewhat, Lonie then acting as a linkman between the ball carriers. 2007 was a year the boy from Frankston would rather forget, playing only four games as osteitis pubis
Osteitis pubis
Since 1924, osteitis pubis has been known as a noninfectious inflammation of the pubis symphysis causing varying degrees of lower abdominal and pelvic pain. Osteitis pubis was first described in patients who had undergone suprapubic surgery and remains a well-known complication of invasive...
again took its toll. At the end of Collingwood's 2008 season Lonie retired at the age of 25.