Former AFL player Leigh Ryswyk has publicly come out as gay, becoming the first male AFL player — past or present — to do so.
Ryswyk shared the news during an interview on GayFL, the JOY 94.9 football radio show, explaining that while he has been out privately for several years, he felt ready to speak openly now.
“To people who know me, my closest friends, this is not new; I’ve been out for five years now,” he said.
When asked why he chose this moment to come out publicly, his response was simple: “Why not?”
A Football Career Across States
Originally from Victoria, Ryswyk moved to Queensland at a young age and joined the Brisbane Lions squad for the 2005 season, where he played one AFL match.
He later relocated to South Australia, where he built a significant career with North Adelaide Football Club in the SANFL, playing more than 200 games. His contributions to the sport were recognised with induction into the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.
Despite his achievements, Ryswyk has largely kept his personal life private — something he acknowledged during the interview.
“I’m a very private person, so it’s not all over my social media… it can be a bit of a shock to some people,” he said. “But in the end, the people who are nearest and closest to me know, and that’s what’s most important.”
Support From the AFL Community
Ryswyk’s announcement has been met with support from across the football world, including from former AFL player Mitch Brown, who publicly came out as bisexual in 2025.
Taking to social media, Brown praised Ryswyk’s decision.
“My deepest respect and congratulations to Leigh for sharing this part of himself with the world tonight. It takes real courage to step forward and choose to live openly and honestly,” he said.
He added that moments like this help reshape perceptions within the sport.
“It makes the game more honest, more human, and more reflective of the communities who love it… There will be young players and kids hearing Leigh’s story who feel a little less alone because of it.”
A Historic Moment
Ryswyk’s decision marks a significant milestone in Australian rules football, a sport where openly gay male players have remained absent at the elite level.
By sharing his story, he joins a growing number of athletes helping to broaden representation in sport — and challenging long-standing stereotypes about masculinity in professional football.
