Andrew Ryan was born and raised in Dubbo and as a kid idolised the newly appointed Bulldogs coach, Dean Pay.
Both were schooled at St Johns College Dubbo, played their junior footy for St Johns Dubbo and shared a love for rugby league.
Although they played in different eras, the 2004 premiership winning captain is over the moon his childhood hero is at the helm of the Bulldogs in 2018.
“I was stoked. As a kid growing up in Dubbo, Dean Pay was my idol. I wanted to be like him, he went to my school, played in town and went on to play for Australia and New South Wales. For him now to be head coach of this club and myself to be involved, is real special,” said Ryan.
