The pain of missing an AFL season through suspension is driving Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder’s career-best year.

Ryder has won All-Australian selection in a triumphant return after being among current and former Essendon players who were banned last year.

“Last year when I didn’t have footy I realised just how much I loved being in the AFL system, how much footy actually means to me,” he told reporters on Thursday.