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CTV > Chris Bryan post-match interview
CTV > Watch the boys sing the song

Chris Bryan is happy to be making a contribution in a successful team.

Since being recalled for the round seven clash with St Kilda, the Collingwood ruckman has been making an excellent contribution, averaging 13 possessions, six marks, 12 hitouts and three clearances per outing. 

“It’s what I enjoy. We’re winning, I can’t complain, it’s really good,” Bryan, who is nicknamed 'Bear', told CTV in the rooms after the 21-point victory over Melbourne on Monday.

His performance against the Demons was particularly impressive. Bryan gathered 14 touches to go with some terrific ruck work against Jeff White and Paul Johnson, but it was the way he was able to run to position and then find a target much further afield with his powerful left boot that stood out.

He also laid six tackles, despite having to leave the ground with a gash above his left eye that would later require stiches, the result of his physically imposing approach to his game.

“I just had a couple of stitches put in above the brow, it’s not too bad.

“It’s fine now, I actually had a bit of blurred vision in my right eye before this, then got this knock and it cleared up the blurred vision, so it’s probably a good thing that I got it.

“Full credit to Melbourne, they came out with a style of game that they wanted to play, and they played pretty well, so to nut it our for the four quarters was good, hopefully a much better performance next week.”

After moving to Collingwood via the pre-season draft at the end of 2006, Bryan appeared in 12 matches in 2007 including all three finals, but had to bide his time in the Magpies’ VFL team behind Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood for the first part of this season, before a knee injury to Fraser meant an opportunity arose for the match against the Saints.

The 26-year-old performed well in that nine-point victory and has held his spot since.

"It was pretty frustrating earlier on in the year to not get a go, so with Josh going down for that week I got my opportunity, and I just said to myself, ‘don‘t give it up without a fight’.

“I’m just doing everything I can to hold my spot.”

He is certainly holding his spot, and playing a significant role in the process. His three big contested grabs against the Eagles in round 10 were testament to his versatility, in that he can effectively contest the ruck, roam the ground and play as another midfield option, but also push deep into defence and thwart opposition forward forays.

Now, with seven wins at the halfway point of the season, the Magpies host arch-rival Carlton at the MCG next Sunday on a day Collingwood will pay tribute to recently retired former captain Nathan Buckley.

For Bryan, it will be his second outing against the team he played 16 games for in 2005 and 2006.

“Our focus will switch to that (the Carlton game). It should be a good challenge up against Carlton, they had a good win this week, they’ll be thereabouts, it will be good.”