Essendon coach James Hird says a more mature Paddy Ryder is mentally ready to make the most of his enormous talent.

Ryder, who turns 24 on Wednesday, was a match-winner in Friday night’s AFL pre-season clash with Sydney at Etihad Stadium.

The athletic ruckman-forward kicked two of his side’s last three goals, in between setting up the other for skipper Jobe Watson, to help the Bombers clinch the 1.14.12 (105) to 1.14.10 (103) win.

Hird said Ryder, who at times has been criticised for appearing to lack the intensity to match his skill, size and athleticism, had made a decision this pre-season to get everything out of himself.

“Everyone can see how good an athlete he is, he reads the play well, he’s got exceptional talent and he wants to be a really good footballer,” Hird said.

“The way he’s embraced this pre-season is he’s decided ‘This is my time and I’m going to take it on.’

“He’s another one that has matured greatly in the past 18 months.”

But Hird added that Ryder had sometimes been unfairly maligned in the past.

“Because he’s got so much talent we jump on his back when he has a bad day,” the coach said.

Hird said comeback defender Courtenay Dempsey, who missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, was another who was showing greater maturity.

The 24-year-old impressed against the Swans on Friday night and Hird said his time out of the game had improved the classy running backman both on-field and off.

“I think the knee has taught him a lot about the game and life too,” Hird said.

“He’s just a more mature man, he’s (24) and you grow up a little bit.

“You just see a really happy mature person at training.

“Whereas maybe when I was playing with him four or five years ago that wasn’t the case.

“He’s been a real joy to coach so far this pre-season.”