Former Richmond defender Ryan Garthwaite still wants to play AFL

The 23-year-old moved back to his Corowa-based parents after the season and was delisted by the Tigers in mid-October.

He returned to Melbourne yesterday to speak with potential suitors.

"My aspirations are still to make it back into the AFL system, so it's about what team or league gives me the best chance to do that," he explained.

"I'm always up for a move interstate, so I'm weighing up whether I do that or play in the VFL."

Garthwaite played 14 senior games across five seasons at Richmond, which won three premierships during his stint.

"When (three-time premiership defender) David (Astbury) retired after a great career, I thought it was my time, but things obviously changed and that's life and that's footy," he revealed.

"My question at the end of the year (to Richmond) was, 'what do I need to do from now to get a permanent spot at senior level'? They gave me the reasons and it was around my intercept marking game and play more freely in that sense and going for my marks again like I used to."

And Garthwaite is looking at another previous aspect in an effort to extend his time at the elite level.

"I would love to have a move up forward and get back to what I was doing as a junior," he offered.

"Hopefully, if there is an AFL club that takes a chance or a state league team, that's what I want to pursue.

"I know what I can do better and want to get my forward game going again.

"Over the last five years I've loved being a backman, but I've got a lot of excitement about what I think I could bring as a forward.

"At the moment I'm in-between (as to what's my favourite position)."

Garthwaite never kicked a goal in the AFL, which included five games last season.

Corowa-Rutherglen has contacted 194cm Garthwaite about a possible return.

"No door's closed but right now I want to get back into the AFL and I think a state league gives me the best opportunity," he suggested.

Garthwaite had also been working on the Border.

"I was doing a bit of work with Beau Schilg at Corowa Distilling, they were good enough to put me on and did about eight to 10 shifts over my six weeks there, learning a new craft and I enjoyed it."

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