AFL Player 20: Peter Wright

[Lore]

Contract Status: Free Agent (?) 2027
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 21, TheGrizz

 

[Lore]

Unlikely against Richmond.

Key forward Peter Wright is unlikely to play in Essendon’s Dreamtime in Perth game after being a late withdrawal last week with a calf complaint.

Murphy said Wright would potentially look to use the scheduled round 13 bye as an extra week to recover.

“'Wrighty' (Wright) had a bit of a calf complaint,” Murphy said.

“It was precautionary heading into the game, and we’ll see how this week goes, but he’s probably more unlikely this week.

“That will give him a couple of weeks with the bye coming up to get that right.”

Injury news: Snelling sidelined, tests for two talls

The latest injury news on Will Snelling, Jayden Laverde, Peter Wright and Aaron Francis.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[The Donners]

Unlikely against Richmond.

Injury news: Snelling sidelined, tests for two talls

The latest injury news on Will Snelling, Jayden Laverde, Peter Wright and Aaron Francis.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Disappointing, he was putting some good footy together.

 

[eth-dog]

Tall forward Peter Wright will be touch-and-go to face the Hawks at UTAS Stadium as he progresses from a calf injury, while David Zaharakis (hamstring) and Andrew McGrath (PCL) won't feature after injuries sustained against Richmond in round 12.


While Wright has made progress in his recovery, Murphy said the 24-year-old would be listed as a test for Sunday’s game.

‘Wrighty’ has got that calf complaint from over in WA,” he said.

“We’re still working through that one.

“He’s a test for this weekend and he’ll need to tick off a few more things on Friday to be available for selection.”

Injury news: Smith, Draper loom for selection

The latest updates on Devon Smith, Sam Draper, Peter Wright and more.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[maskmcgee]

Seriously, did he even play today? Absolutley useless in the ruck. Draper took 2 bounces, straight inside 50 for a goal. Then Wright went into the ruck, lost the tap, Hawthorn won the clearence, we didn't score for the next 15 minutes. Happened at least 3 times today. Need Phillips in instead or Draper to play 100% time in the ruck.

 

[Eleven 38]

I wonder if he was in as backup for Draper because they didnt think Draper would be so good first game back.

 

[Ambrosia]

Seriously, did he even play today? Absolutley useless in the ruck. Draper took 2 bounces, straight inside 50 for a goal. Then Wright went into the ruck, lost the tap, Hawthorn won the clearence, we didn't score for the next 15 minutes. Happened at least 3 times today. Need Phillips in instead or Draper to play 100% time in the ruck.

He also was terrible in the boundary throw ins. Didn’t even look like he wanted to contest them.

 

[Megabattimus]

He played like a guy who hadn't had any game time for like a month (last game he played was against North). Hopefully he'll be better for the run as we're gonna need him against Melbourne's backline.

On Pixel 3 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[eth-dog]

Seriously, did he even play today? Absolutley useless in the ruck. Draper took 2 bounces, straight inside 50 for a goal. Then Wright went into the ruck, lost the tap, Hawthorn won the clearence, we didn't score for the next 15 minutes. Happened at least 3 times today. Need Phillips in instead or Draper to play 100% time in the ruck.

Odd, considering he only contested 2 centre bounces.

 

[Bombers36]

Was pretty ordinary for sure but it was his 1st run back from injury so I would be inclined to keep him in against Melbourne. That said Phillips was solid in the two's apparently so Peter might find himself dropped it's line ball really

 

[Bjchan13]

He was rusty along with most of the team. Not concerned just yet.

 

[BrunoV]

He took 2 or 3 good marks down the line in the first half.

I'd say there was a fitness issue which is likely to be something from the game.

I doubt we'd have dropped Phillips to play underdone Draper and underdone Wright.

 

[Phat Toni]

Seriously, did he even play today? Absolutley useless in the ruck. Draper took 2 bounces, straight inside 50 for a goal. Then Wright went into the ruck, lost the tap, Hawthorn won the clearence, we didn't score for the next 15 minutes. Happened at least 3 times today. Need Phillips in instead or Draper to play 100% time in the ruck.

Don't get too worried about him, in the dictionary there's just a photo of 2MP as the description of 'confidence player'. Couple of games to help with continuity he will find his feet again.

 

[maskmcgee]

Odd, considering he only contested 2 centre bounces.

Ok, so what? As I said, he was invisible. Regardless, someone who is not a proper ruck went into the centre bounce and stopped us scoring for 15 minutes. We need a proper second ruck in the team, and we saw Phillips can take a mark inside 50 last game.

 

[eth-dog]

Ok, so what? As I said, he was invisible. Regardless, someone who is not a proper ruck went into the centre bounce and stopped us scoring for 15 minutes. We need a proper second ruck in the team, and we saw Phillips can take a mark inside 50 last game.

It's his first game back from injury.

As for the "not a proper ruck" thing, he'd be one of the better forward/rucks going around. Strange comment.

 

[citizen-erased]

It's his first game back from injury.

As for the "not a proper ruck" thing, he'd be one of the better forward/rucks going around. Strange comment.

Strikes me as a player who needs a game or two to get going.
No need to panic and drop him.

Draper looks good to ruck a good 80%+ a game anyway. So he's more fwd than ruck

The fact he likes to get up the wings as a target, with Jones also doing that, means we have the luxury during open play to park Stringer & Hooker at home.
Add Draper around the ground, Cox as a 2m winger & langford with a strong set of hands, we have some good mobile tall targets counter balancing a small midfield.

No need to drop

 

[Schnitzengruben]

For me - it's Wright or Hooker in the forward line. We're too slow and immobile with the current set up.

Would much rather play Wright/Jones next year and play another small/medium for extra offensive presha.

 

[Phat Toni]

For me - it's Wright or Hooker in the forward line. We're too slow and immobile with the current set up.

Would much rather play Wright/Jones next year and play another small/medium for extra offensive presha.

I think this is more an interesting conversation than 2MP's game against the Hawks, will the coaching staff opt to role this out at any point and leave a fit Hooker in the shed? Big Hooksey has hit the score board well enough this year with 29 goals on the board and only having 3 games where he failed to register a goal, which is a really good year! The problem with Hooker(and 2MP) is they both offer very little defensively as forwards and have limited impact as hit up targets further up the ground. I would argue against better teams the coaching panel might be better suited to only go with one of them and being that 2MP is theoretically going to be at the club longer do they push all their chips into the middle on 2MP/Jones, and when that happens, when?

 

[Schnitzengruben]

I think this is more an interesting conversation than 2MP's game against the Hawks, will the coaching staff opt to role this out at any point and leave a fit Hooker in the shed? Big Hooksey has hit the score board well enough this year with 29 goals on the board and only having 3 games where he failed to register a goal, which is a really good year! The problem with Hooker(and 2MP) is they both offer very little defensively as forwards and have limited impact as hit up targets further up the ground. I would argue against better teams the coaching panel might be better suited to only go with one of them and being that 2MP is theoretically going to be at the club longer do they push all their chips into the middle on 2MP/Jones, and when that happens, when?

There lies the first problem. A fit hooker has the same physical capacity as an unfit Wright. But when *both* are fit, I'm picking the bloke with upside in his career still to come rather than the bloke with downside to come. With all due respect to Hooker; as great for our club as he's been.

I think people get too carried away with stats and scorelines etc. I've said it a few times before but in modern football; a KPF's worth isn't measured by goals kicked. It's the little things. It's the defensive pressure. It's not being burnt on every single switch and allowing the ball out of D50. It's blocking for teammates etc.

Sure goals kicked is a big indicator but if we target him 70% of the time for 29 goals, is that really better than the bloke who has kicked 10 goals but only targeted 10% of the time? Just making those numbers up obviously - but I think you need to watch Cale closely to measure his overall value to the team and not look at the stat sheets.

RE; Chips in the middle with 2mp/Jones. I am happy with that at this stage. We have Brand, Eyre and Baldwin as developing KPP players in the background. With Reid potentially putting his hand up for senior football next year; that might allow us the flexibility to send either Stewart or Lav back forward to help out. Ideally though we'd be targeting a Ben King or equivalent coming out of contract in the next year or so.

 

[Phat Toni]

There lies the first problem. A fit hooker has the same physical capacity as an unfit Wright. But when *both* are fit, I'm picking the bloke with upside in his career still to come rather than the bloke with downside to come. With all due respect to Hooker; as great for our club as he's been.

I think people get too carried away with stats and scorelines etc. I've said it a few times before but in modern football; a KPF's worth isn't measured by goals kicked. It's the little things. It's the defensive pressure. It's not being burnt on every single switch and allowing the ball out of D50. It's blocking for teammates etc.

Sure goals kicked is a big indicator but if we target him 70% of the time for 29 goals, is that really better than the bloke who has kicked 10 goals but only targeted 10% of the time? Just making those numbers up obviously - but I think you need to watch Cale closely to measure his overall value to the team and not look at the stat sheets.

RE; Chips in the middle with 2mp/Jones. I am happy with that at this stage. We have Brand, Eyre and Baldwin as developing KPP players in the background. With Reid potentially putting his hand up for senior football next year; that might allow us the flexibility to send either Stewart or Lav back forward to help out. Ideally though we'd be targeting a Ben King or equivalent coming out of contract in the next year or so.

Appreciate and acknowledge there are plenty of ways to measure forwards and overall I have to agree that 2MP/Jones is the future based on what resources we have now. I'm wondering(aloud) is there a point this year with a fully fit Hooker that old Hooksey gets left out? Hard to speculate I know as injuries may never afford us the luxury of having to make a hard decision but i wonder if the coaching panel would be bold enough to make that decision due to 'other' forward measures like defensive pressure etc given that Hooker on surface stats(goals) seems to be having a great year.

Here is a super random thought as well, when Reid/Francis/Lav/BTZ/Stewart/Brand etc are all available what would sending Ridley to the half forward line do for the team? We often have a problem of bombing it forward, Rids is one of our best marks and kicks, having him roaming high half forward would be a dangerous sight for oppositions.

 

[eth-dog]

Let's put his year in perspective. If you take out the 3 and a half games where he rucked solo he's averaging 11.7 disposals, 4.5 marks, 1.6 MI50, 1.7 contested marks, 7.5 hitouts and 1.3 goals a game. Even if you include the Port game those are pretty much what you want from a forward/ruck for the year. Roughly translates to a 29 goal year for a genuine key forward/ruck. Since 2010 the only player to average 10 hitouts and kick 30 goals for the year is Kurt Tippett

Kurt Tippett

Age

38

Ht

202cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.8

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.8

5star

No current season stats available

D

6.6

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

to put it in perspective, although a couple have fallen just short with the goals, Mike Pyke

Mike Pyke

Age

42

Ht

201cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.1

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

5.4

4star

CL

1.8

4star

HO

21.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

7.2

2star

K

1.4

1star

HB

5.8

4star

HO

11.6

5star

and Bellchambers had 28 in 2013 and averaged 22-23 hitouts apiece. If we consistently get a 10+ hitout average and 30 goals for the year it'll be very handy.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Let's put his year in perspective. If you take out the 3 and a half games where he rucked solo he's averaging 11.7 disposals, 4.5 marks, 1.6 MI50, 1.7 contested marks, 7.5 hitouts and 1.3 goals a game. Even if you include the Port game those are pretty much what you want from a forward/ruck for the year. Roughly translates to a 29 goal year for a genuine key forward/ruck. Since 2010 the only player to average 10 hitouts and kick 30 goals for the year is Kurt Tippett to put it in perspective, although a couple have fallen just short with the goals, Mike Pyke and Bellchambers had 28 in 2013 and averaged 22-23 hitouts apiece. If we consistently get a 10+ hitout average and 30 goals for the year it'll be very handy.

 

[eth-dog]

Point: His numbers are basically what the best forward/rucks do in the AFL over the past decade.

 

[RearNaked]

Any chance we can get hookers brain in this blokes body

 

[Vindicater]

Been doing well.

Would like to see him as a solo forward to see how he goes without Hooker.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Point: His numbers are basically what the best forward/rucks do in the AFL over the past decade.

So why doesn't it feel like he is one of the best ruck/forwards of the last decade?

Not taking the piss - I get the numbers, but it also feels like something is missing.
Maybe it's just the sense that he has the raw tools to be totally dominant and isn't taking that opportunity.