THE Murray Magpies have suffered a blow with ruckman Ben Ryan ruled out indefinitely with work commitments.
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Ryan recently accepted a promotion at Wodonga police station and has missed the Magpies’ past three matches.
Magpies coach Corey Lambert said he remained hopeful Ryan could still play a handful of matches later this year.
“Ben has got a job promotion which is going to impact his footy,” Lambert said.
“It’s a bit up in the air at the moment, but he won’t be able to play the amount of games that he would have liked.
“We are hopeful he can play at least a few more and be available if we can pinch a finals berth.”
Ryan arrived at Urana Road this season from North Albury and will leave a gaping hole in the Magpies’ big man stocks.
Spring-heeled forward Jesse Johnston has assumed the No. 1 ruck duties in his absence.
Last year’s wooden spooner has been a lot more competitive this season and sits eighth on the ladder with a 2-3 record.
The Magpies are yet to field a full-strength line-up with several injuries.
Key defender Josh Senior (collarbone) hasn’t play- ed since round 1 while Lavington recruit Ryan Johnson is yet to play a game with stress fractures.
Johnson is set to undergo surgery this week and miss at least another two months.