Wright has axe to grind after 2019 dumping
A LATE-season axing is burned in the back of Peter Wright’s mind and fuelled a pre-season he hopes will help him reclaim his spot in Gold Coast’s forward line.
Wright has spoken candidly of a difficult 2019 where he struggled to play his best and was dropped multiple times.
The 23-year-old goalkicker said he had used it as a learning experience, one that has sparked renewed energy.
“Last year I was able to string some consistent football together early in the season,” Victorian product Wright said.
“I wasn’t playing the way I wanted to but still playing my role for the team.
“I wasn’t able to do that as well as I should have through the middle part of the year.
“Going in and out of the team was definitely challenging. It was something I haven’t really faced before so you definitely learn from that. I really want to make sure I earn my spot back and keep it.”
Cementing his place in the side won’t be easy given Sam Day and Ben King are fit and firing ahead of the first Marsh Community Series game against Geelong at Metricon Stadium today.
All three have been named to play and Wright revealed shedding some weight – dropping 4kg back to 102kg – could be the key to his comeback.
“It’s been a good pre-season,” Wright said.
“Over the off-season I was able to drop a fair bit of weight which is pleasing and I’m feeling a lot better and covering the ground better.
“Last year I was trying to get bigger, stronger and heavier than I had been before to improve my strength in aerial contests but I found that was a double-edged sword.
“I wasn’t able to cover the ground as well.”