Co-Captain Ryan Exon Celebrates His 100th VFL Game

By Marcus Beeck

Ahead of our round 15 clash against the Gold Coast Suns, it’s time to take a step back and celebrate one of our co-captains as he notches up his 100th game in the VFL.

Ryan Exon has been a great servant to the Coburg Football Club over the past six seasons since joining from Frankston in 2017. His undying effort and leadership on and off the field led to him being appointed as co-captain alongside Peter McEvoy in 2019.

And while he is yet to achieve premiership success at the Lions, he has picked up some personal accolades along the way that he will look back at fondly after his career is finished.

Exon finished runner up in the Best and Fairest award in both 2017 and 2018, in 2018 he also won the Eric Lines Players’ Player Award while also winning the Jeff Angwin Most Courageous Player Award in 2018 and 2021 respectively.

However personal achievements and accolades are something that ‘Ex’ doesn’t like to focus on, even as he heads towards his 100th game milestone this weekend.

“Obviously it’s something that I’ll probably look back on more so once I’ve finished and be really proud of. It’s something that has kind of been creeping up on me for a couple years now because, obviously, the last few years we haven’t had as many games as we would have normally.”

“A few people coming from interstate to watch and some family coming down to watch as well, so should be a good day hopefully.”

After being a part of the VFL premiership team for Box Hill in 2013, Ex made his way to Frankston to try and find more opportunity at senior level.

But soon after, Frankston’s financial situation meant that our co-captain had to find a new home in the VFL.

“I only moved on from Frankston because they ended up having their financial issues when their team folded for a year there. Which led me to Coburg, but it was a blessing in disguise.” Exon said.

“At the time I wasn’t too happy about having to move clubs again, but I’m very, very glad that it did happen, because as much as I did enjoy my year at Frankston, Coburg’s my home now.”

And while premiership success has not come to Coburg during Ex’s time here at the Lions, he says that his greatest achievements and moments have come through the relationships he’s built here at Piranha Park.

“I think more than anything it’s just the relationships that are made here, guys that I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life based off the time I’ve spent with them at the footy club. People like Pete McEvoy, Jesse Corigliano, Mitch Podhajski just to name a few.” Exon said.

“More than the wins and losses, it’s been the memories you make off-field and the friendships you make, that I’ll carry with me most [after his career].”

During his time in charge at the Lions, Ex has seen the feeling and culture around the club shift to an inviting and supportive environment, something that he is really proud of.

“I think it’s just the culture that we’ve tried to create where everyone can be themselves, and whether you’re getting flogged in pre-season or whether it’s the middle of winter during the season and it’s cold, to be out on the track, it’s still fun and you’re still having a good time with your friends.”

“Even “Sturg’ said a couple of weeks ago he can’t believe how positive everyone’s remained even though we’ve been losing, but we’ve been rocking up every week, win or lose, happy to be there and happy to be a part of a club that we all love.”

And while Ex had experienced leadership roles in the past, captaining the Oakleigh Chargers to a TAC Cup premiership in 2012, he’s found the role of co-captain at Coburg has helped his personal growth vastly.

“It’s made me more confident in myself that I can speak out and put my opinion forward and people are going to wanna listen to what I say. Maybe before that (being co-captain) I wasn’t as vocal, so it has made me grow in that respect.”

Although the Lions might not make finals and push for a premiership in 2022, Ex is excited by what lays a head for this proud club.

“It’s still a really young, exciting, talented group, so hopefully next year we can build towards finals and getting the club back to having the success that we all know it can have.”

So, get on down to Piranha Park this Sunday to help celebrate our co-captain in his 100th game of VFL, and support the boys as they look for their third win of the season.