Negotiations are described only by Ryder’s management as “preliminary” but it seems significant the big leaping all-rounder has engaged in early dialogue with Bombers officials with a host of AFL clubs on the lookout for top ruckmen.
Ryder and powerful key position force Michael Hurley will probably be Essendon’s biggest re-signing priorities in the Bombers’ 2012 senior list management.
Ryder, 23, has already played 117 games with the Bombers since he was Essendon's first pick at number seven in the opening round of the 2005 national draft.
He was one of seven Bombers to play in all 23 games last season, including Essendon’s first-week elimination final 62-point shellacking from staunch rival Carlton.
Ryder will be out of contract at the end of the 2012 season, but will be a year short of qualifying for a restricted form of free agency under new regulations to be introduced by the AFL in late March.
Some AFL clubs have already pounced with summer re-signings to keep poachers off their stars.
North Melbourne locked emerging ruck talent Todd Goldstein to a three-year deal in January, just as Western Bulldogs management secured top on-baller Ryan Griffen for the long haul around Whitten Oval.
Bombers management could lock the gifted Ryder in to a deal well beyond next year when he would qualify for a restricted form of free agency after eight seasons at his original AFL club.
The Western Australian draft product would be an attractive recruiting target if he was on the trade market at the end of his Bombers time.
Securing Ryder is logical insurance for Bombers management with lead ruck force David Hille in definite twilight stages of his injury-plagued career at 30 and turning 31 in June when, if he remains injury-free, the powerful big man would be approaching 200 games.
Hille starts the new premiership season with 184 games under his belt for the Bombers but managed only 19 outings last season after only 16 in 2010 and just five in ’09 when he suffered a career-threatening knee injury.
Retaining the versatile Ryder for the long haul in the evolving James Hird coaching era, is also vital to Essendon’s sustained finals prospects and any eventual premiership plans.
He is also offers crucial forward line marking and scoring prowess with continued uncertainty surrounding injury-prone big man Scott Gumbleton.
Gumbleton, 23, has been plagued with back and hamstring problems through his five seasons on the Bombers senior list to play just 22 senior games since the powerhouse forward was taken at number two in the 2006 national draft, behind Carlton midfield sensation Bryce Gibbs.
The big forward did not make an appearance with the Bombers senior side in 2011 after 17 highly encouraging outings the season earlier.
Hird does have a supply of big key forwards though, with big hopes and expectations resting on Ryder, Hille, Hurley and Gumbleton as well as youngsters Jake Carlisle and Stewart Crameri who was an astonishing success in 2011 elevated from the Bombers rookie list.