Ricky Dyson

Ricky Dyson, (born 28 September 1985) is an Australian rules footballer originally from the Epping Football Club who in 2012 was played for Essendon in the AFL.

Drafted at number 44 in the 2003 AFL Draft, Dyson plays mainly as a midfielder. He has struggled to maintain his place in the side due to a combination of inconsistent form and injuries, only playing more than 11 games in a season three times in his eight-season career.

Having played for the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, Ricky Dyson was taken in the Australian Football League's 2003 National Draft with the overall pick No. 44, by the Essendon Football Club. He made his debut, aged 18, in Round 3 of the 2004 AFL season, when Essendon played the West Coast Eagles at Docklands Stadium on the 10th of April, under coach Kevin Sheedy, and captain James Hird. Dyson initially found himself to be less active in discussion during team meetings, having come into a playing group that had recently won a premiership, and instead preferred to listen. He would go on to play 11 games in his debut season.

Dyson managed to play 10 games in his second season, having been affected by groin soreness. During the pre-season the next year, Dyson was assaulted in Port Melbourne, interrupting his preparation. In addition, he continued to be plagued by groin soreness during the season proper, although he managed to play 10 consecutive games for the first time, finishing the year with 17 games in total. Dyson nonetheless struggled to retain his spot in the senior side, and began to doubt his playing ability as a result.