Matt Wright

[lunacy]

Sorry Mods I know this should probably go in the locker room but BF is still pretty quiet at the moment and I want to get the view of as many posters as possible.

Matt Wright nominated for the 2007 draft (correct me if I'm wrong). This puts him in the same draft as Danger, Otten, Jacky, Cook, Armstrong, Walker, Patrenko and Martin.

I have always thought Wright wa a touch older than these guys as he seems to have been around for ages. This is probably because he played league for north almost straight away where as a lot of the guys above made their way through reserves etc.

Considering he is quite an established/accomplished SANFL league footballer, I'd like to know everyones views (esp those that watch him closely) on where he's at. Is he at AFL standard at the moment? Would he be able to debut and contribute to a satisfactory level?

As he was drafted in the same year as those above where would he rank against the guys above. Barring Danger, Otten and Walker he has probably/possibly achieved more at SANFL/state level than the others. In this case we have added another youngster from the the incredible 2007 draft who could realistically contribute to some degree this year (even as depth player). Maybe include Sloane in the same list even though he was drafted a year later.

How would you rank them all in AFL readiness (not potential)?

Also how has he been looking at training in company with AFL players? I know its new for him as he has only just started.

 

[hugecannon]

I'm a massive fan of Matt Wright (as I would think are all the North supporters on this forum) and have been wanting the crows to draft him since 2007. I have no doubt that he would have been drafted that year (I think that Matt Burgan had him going to us with the pick we used on Tony Armstrong in his mock draft) if not for a sickening incident just before the draft where he was bottled at a party from behind while he was putting his girlfriend in a taxi.

Whether he can make the step up it's too early to tell but his improvements over the last 2-3 years at SANFL level show that he definitely has talent and the desire to be the best footballer he can be. If he can stay on the park and get an opportunity in the crows side I believe he'll make it.

 

[RoosterLad]

He is ready to play AFL straight away... how he will do in the big league is something I'm not sure about at this stage. It would be great to see him succeed though as the guy is a gun for North.

 

[Mad Fan of AFL]

I like what im hearing about Wright. Hope he can add some class to our forward line and midfield. He definately knows where the goals are

 

[WALL-e]

Got some nice arms on him.

 

[cmndstab]

Having missed most of the preseason will not help his cause. Unless he pulls a rabbit out of the hat in the NAB Cup I'd imagine he'll be asked to go to the SANFL, continue to post the kinds of results that saw him drafted, and wait for an opportunity.

I'd have my money on him debuting in 2011 unless we suffer a spate of injuries this year. When was the last time a rookie-listed player played in his first season with the Crows? Petrenko came close but never quite got there.

 

[Vader]

Having missed most of the preseason will not help his cause. Unless he pulls a rabbit out of the hat in the NAB Cup I'd imagine he'll be asked to go to the SANFL, continue to post the kinds of results that saw him drafted, and wait for an opportunity.

I'd have my money on him debuting in 2011 unless we suffer a spate of injuries this year. When was the last time a rookie-listed player played in his first season with the Crows? Petrenko came close but never quite got there.

But most of our rookies have been 18yo kids who were overlooked in the National and Pre-Season drafts. Wright is more of a mature aged draftee, having been eligible for the 2007 ND. He's already a proven SANFL performer, something which few of our previous rookies have been able to claim. About the only exception I can think of would be Rhys Archard - and AFL training proved to be too much for him.

 

[cmndstab]

This is a fair point. Still, he's want to put in a pretty monstrous performance to get a look this year I reckon.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Having missed most of the preseason will not help his cause. Unless he pulls a rabbit out of the hat in the NAB Cup I'd imagine he'll be asked to go to the SANFL, continue to post the kinds of results that saw him drafted, and wait for an opportunity.

I'd have my money on him debuting in 2011 unless we suffer a spate of injuries this year. When was the last time a rookie-listed player played in his first season with the Crows? Petrenko came close but never quite got there.

Agree with this

All Wrights rivals have had good PS campaigns by all reports ......Sloane, Cooke, Douglas, Petrenko in front of him plus can see Porplyzia and Dangerfield spending more time in the midfield

I am assuming Wright is a pure midfielder at AFL level??

But there are two on the long-term injury list so there is an opportunity depending on injuries

Henderson and Schmidt though you would say would be front runners for elevation

 

[Weekend of Bernie]

Agree with this

All Wrights rivals have had good PS campaigns by all reports ......Sloane, Cooke, Douglas, Petrenko in front of him plus can see Porplyzia and Dangerfield spending more time in the midfield

I am assuming Wright is a pure midfielder at AFL level??

But there are two on the long-term injury list so there is an opportunity depending on injuries

Henderson and Schmidt though you would say would be front runners for elevation

Yeah, particularly Schmidt who has had a great preseason with the team, where as Hendo is still on his way back to peek fitness levels. However, Henderson will force his way into the main list sometime this year - he is just too good to pass up. IMO he will be an excellent AFL player who could take over from the Bird roaming from the wing to forward pocket.

 

[Allbetsroff]

Anyone is better than Birdbrain.

 

[lunacy]

What is Henderson's injury? I'm sure I've heard I just cant remember. I like him. Unfortunately he always seems to be stuck in the restricted group at training.

So what's his injury and when will he be back to full training and ready to start playing games?

 

[cmndstab]

He had a hip injury but he let it go too long without getting it treated which has hampered his recovery. He's got to be close to full fitness by now though.