Port Adelaide want to lure disgruntled ruckman Paddy Ryder from Essendon, describing him as a fantastic potential recruit.

Ryder’s future at the Bombers is in limbo despite being contracted to the AFL club for another two seasons.

The 26-year-old is considering activating a clause which allows him to break his contract due to health fears from Essendon’s 2012 supplements program.

Port are courting the 26-year-old, who has met Brisbane Lions officials and also is reportedly a target of other clubs including Greater Western Sydney.

Power captain Travis Boak backed his club’s bid for Ryder, a 170-gamer for Essendon.

“Paddy is a fantastic player and I think any club would be lucky to have him,” Boak told reporters on Wednesday.

“I was lucky enough to play over in Ireland in the under 17s (International Rules series) with him and he’s a fantastic person.”

Ryder’s ability to ruck and play as a dangerous forward looms large in Port’s thinking as they seek support for their leading tap-man Matthew Lobbe.

“It would certainly add a fair bit to our team,” Boak said.

“Lobbes has done a lot of the work this year and it would certainly help him out.

“We have still got (ruckman Jarrad Redden) Reddo who is coming back from a knee injury as well, so we have got a bit of stock there.

“To add another one into the forward line would be fantastic. Just the type of player he (Ryder) is, he could add a lot all over the ground for us.”