Originally from Warragul, Mark Ridgway initially joined Collingwood without great success before trying out again with Fitzroy Doncaster, finishing equal fourth in the 1990/91 Ryder Medal count before winning the award the following season. A whole-hearted performer, Ridgway's hard-hitting left-hand batting and right-arm fast-medium bowling earned him 31 votes, to take the Ryder Medal, 6 votes clear of Prahran's Dav Whatmore on 25. Despite heading the VCA bowling aggregates in 1990/91 and 1991/92 and winning the Lions' bowling average in 1990/91, 1991/92 and 1992/93, Ridgway was constantly overlooked by the Victorian selectors and eventually headed to Tasmania after the 1992/93 season. He gave the Tigers great service over the next 7 seasons, taking 161 wickets @ 33.60 in 46 first class matches.
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