Issues with Dan Kilian’s return to Group Nine saw the respected administrator hand in his resignation.

Ryan made the shock call on Friday after becoming dissatisfied with the handling of the front rower’s return to Tumut following his Queensland court case.

Kilian has handed a suspended sentence for the next three and half years after trafficking 10,000 ecstasy pills.

While cleared to play by Country Rugby League (CRL) on Thursday, what he saw as a lack of proper process has seen Ryan finish up in the role after almost three years. 

"I was waiting for written confirmation from CRL as we have to have something in writing,” Ryan said.

“Verbal is no good and we can’t let him play until we do.

“Jack (Morton) turned around and said ‘he’s playing no matter what’ and I said if that is the way it is I will resign.

“I sat down wrote an email out and sent it to all the other directors.”

Ryan emphasised that he has no problem with Kilian being cleared for a return to the Blues.

It was more over how the process transpired.

“I have nothing against him and I have nothing against Tumut, but the process was all wrong,” he said.

“They’ve informed Tumut on Thursday, CRL, and we are running the competition.

“I never got any email until half an hour after I sent in my resignation.

“We had to chase up the written confirmation.”

Despite moving away from his role with the Group, Ryan expects to keep his close association with Southcity.

After missing the first week’s final action, he will be at Harris Park when the Bulls take on Gundagai for a place in the grand final.

“I’m sure they will have a job for me and I will be wearing a purple shirt next week,” Ryan said.

“I know it is a bad time to do it but our process has to be proper.”