Narrogin Auskicker hands out grand final medal after ‘speccy’ Ryan inspires code hop to AFL

Flyin’ Ryan’s marks aren’t just an inspiration to footy players.

The speccy star has inspired a young West Aussie to code hop from soccer all the way to the AFL grand final.

Liam Ryan’s performances were part of what set Auskicker Uzoma Ezeorakwe, from Narrogin, on his way to forming a guard of honour to the Demons at half-time and presenting Melbourne’s Jake Bowey with his premiership medal on the big day in front of over 60,000 fans.

“I felt happy and nervous to present the medal,” Uzoma said.

It wasn’t until recently that Uzoma made the switch from soccer to footy.

Living in Victoria, Uzoma discovered Australian Rules football after moving to WA, falling in love with the game.

“He was playing footy with his friends at school and one day he came to me and said, ‘Mum, I think I love footy more’,” his motherAdaku Ezeorakwe said.

Uzoma said his favourites were Ryan and fellow Eagles star Nic Naitanui. “(Ryan) can ‘speccie’ people,” he said.

“I want to play like them.”