Past #19: Sam Wright - "Mr September" - retiring from AFL in Round 20 - thanks Slammin' Sam

[benno87]

If you want to see Wright's true potential watch the last month of 2010, he was our most dangerous forward.

 

[Black Diamond]

No offence to Speighta, but Wright has twice the ability he has. Lack of training at U/18 level had him starting well back when he arrived at the club, but dual sided, clever forwards like Wright don't grow on trees.

Lack of training due to injuries? And if yes, what kinds?

If you want to see Wright's true potential watch the last month of 2010, he was our most dangerous forward.

Yep. He provided good pressure and was a potent user of the ball as well.

He did pretty well v West Coast in round 1, but his best period this year was the first half against Essendon IMO.

 

[Daz]

Can't believe the lack of Speight love. His explosive pace, combined with very good footskills gets him over the line quite comfortably for me.

Wright needs to get faster and stronger. The latter will be difficult this year due to the shoulder reco.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Lack of training due to injuries? And if yes, what kinds?.

not injuries, but like a lot of kids who grow up in relatively isolated towns in rural areas they don't get the chance to train with their TAC Cup team much if at all. Sammy would've been lucky to get to one training session a week during the season, so he would not have had access to the facilities or coaches most other drafted kids received.

Despite this his coach moved him from the forward line to the backline during the season as he was doing it too easy up there and not getting the best out of himself. Sammy seems to need to be pushed and this, combined with his location before drafting, led him to get by with a lot less training than others.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Can't believe the lack of Speight love. His explosive pace, combined with very good footskills gets him over the line quite comfortably for me.

Wright needs to get faster and stronger. The latter will be difficult this year due to the shoulder reco.

It definately is surprising. Speight is the one player who we really need in our squad. outside goal kicking mid with good skills. I'd like to see him developed into a halk back who can break the lines. I think speight will be contending his spot with guys like Garlett and Anthony rather than Wright however.

Did Wright get a full shoulder reco? I thought he just had a clean out whereas Speight had the full reco?

I see Wright competing with Harper and Edwards more-so than Speight. But I agree that he needs to develop some bulk, and some speed.

 

[year of the roo]

Can't believe the lack of Speight love. His explosive pace, combined with very good footskills gets him over the line quite comfortably for me.

Wright needs to get faster and stronger. The latter will be difficult this year due to the shoulder reco.

Yeah I'm with you, despite the fact that I quite like Wright and even felt that Speight was a little overrated on here. Does that sound like a self contradiction or what?! Comments like "Wright by a good margin"... sorry MrR, but I don't know how you come to that conclusion.

Speight has been allowed no continuity at all at AFL level. Mostly due to injuries, but also due to being under utilised (read sub rule) when he does get a game. He is then the first to be ommitted after a loss.

But most importantly, Speight is the closest thing we have ever had to a Boomer replacement. Quick, kicks goals, good skills. A rare blend.

I love Sammy though. The news that he's ramped up the fitness side of things makes me very optimistic indeed. That (and maybe a few kegs) were the only things missing.

 

[Mr Reliable]

Yeah I'm with you, despite the fact that I quite like Wright and even felt that Speight was a little overrated on here. Does that sound like a self contradiction or what?! Comments like "Wright by a good margin"... sorry MrR, but I don't know how you come to that conclusion.Speight has been allowed no continuity at all at AFL level. Mostly due to injuries, but also due to being under utilised (read sub rule) when he does get a game. He is then the first to be ommitted after a loss.

But most importantly, Speight is the closest thing we have ever had to a Boomer replacement. Quick, kicks goals, good skills. A rare blend.

I love Sammy though. The news that he's ramped up the fitness side of things makes me very optimistic indeed. That (and maybe a few kegs) were the only things missing.

I'm not sure either to be honest. It's just an overall impression.

One was a highly rated junior picked up in the ND, the other an overlooked rookie. One gets plenty of chances and game time, the other is the supersub and as you say the first one to be omitted after a loss. One is a classy finisher and can take a mark the other is slightly under-sized for a midfielder, although he is quick.

Don't get me wrong. I like both players and hope they both succeed. As I said, I was reminded of the Urquhart/Pendlebury poll thread where lots of pollsters got it badly wrong but seemed so sure of themselves at the time.

If anything, I'm surprised by the level of support given to Speighty. I know rickety rated him very highly from the moment he first saw him in a praccy match at Arden St. But I don't know how he compared him to Sammy.

 

[Shagga is all Class]

However, what either could do for us in 2012 could depend on the forward set-up.

Speight v Campbell would probably be the most appropriate comparison.

Harvey will play.

Thomas offers more than Campbell and a high HFF role looked a good fit late in the year for Thomas. Thomas was still able to kick a few goals without the same pressure, get the inside 50s, the tackles and is dangerous in the open field heading into 50.

Wright and Harper rotating on the other HFF/wing might be the go. Wright can bob up and kick 2 or 3 and is a good finisher and link player with great hands.

Adams more mid in 2012.

 

[Passmore]

Wright and Harper rotating on the other HFF/wing might be the go. Wright can bob up and kick 2 or 3 and is a good finisher and link player with great hands.

This is what I'm looking forward to. These two are going to cause some massive headaches for defences over the next decade.

Sam's abilities are being severely undersold by some here. One of the best finishers in the squad who has the ability to do the mercurial. Also one of the best goal assist players on the list. The kid's a gem.

Don't underestimate the effect of the preseason illness had on Sam's total overall output in 2011, plus the shoulder injuries.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Flourishing in a new role down back, Sam Wright is enjoying adding another dimension to his game.

After a pre-season that involved recovery from both a shoulder reconstruction and a bizarre foot infection (read more about it here), Wright was happy just to get back out onto the field.

Accustomed to playing in the forward half, Wright’s ball skills were put to use against the Bulldogs at Eureka Stadium playing off half-back.

With 16 disposals and 66 Dream Team points, the move could be considered a success but it’s far from permanent with Brad Scott rotating several players through the area over the past few weeks.

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/130845/default.aspx

Good to see Sammy Wright from Katamatite back on board. Surprised to hear he had a shoulder reco, I thought it was a cartilage clean out?

 

[mark73]

Someone's bullshitting, but either way I don't like it. We need his creativity on the forward line. I hope this isn't fairdinkum.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Someone's bullshitting, but either way I don't like it. We need his creativity on the forward line. I hope this isn't fairdinkum.

If you want to play your preferred position you need to ask to play the opposite.

No wonder Cruise is playing in the ruck.

 

[Husk]

Better as a forward.

 

[Daveo Plonk]

Was born to play HFF. If we're having to play him back we're in real trouble. He should have a Tracy Jordan-style dog collar preventing him from leaving the forward 70m.

 

[Deleted member 98541]

U can't win.

Post season discussion: must inject some class into backline
Draft 2 blokes, not yet ready to step up.
Questions are asked where's wright to fit into best 22 when doing predictions? Most had him out of the side or sub role at best.

Wright placed down back.

"send him forward" is the cry.

I'm happy sending him back there for now, I reckon it's the perfect fit. Gibbs, Deledio, Goddard, they all set up the play from down there. Wright's the only one with comparable foot skills on our list that's ready. Loved seeing him run past Firrito for a HB receive in a switch of play.

Im willing to give him a few rd's before I can the idea. Personally, such are his talents, I won't be happy until he has a Fyfe like game, roaming, reading the play, bringing down clutch marks, being one step ahead of everyone else, forward, in the middle and down back. Wright should be one of our top 5-8 players by year's end.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Well, as has been reported with LA's backline role this preseason, there was a reason behind the move, to teach him accountability.

The point being that it's the preseason. It's the time to mix things up and experiment. See how blokes work in different roles and how it benefits or hinders the side as a whole.

I too would love to see a fit and firing Sammy Wright from Katamatite with his class on the forward line BUT, as OE reminds people above, we have lacked class coming out of defence and he has it. I'm sure he'll settle as a forward eventually, especially with Siera and BMcK coming through, and when he does he'll be a better more rounded player for the experience down back.

 

[Mav]

I want our best 22 out there and Sam's in our best 22. If he builds on his game against the dogs the move could be the master stroke we've been crying out for. Great delivery out the back half!

 

[Gold_Cup_96]

Positives - Disposal, smarts, sure ball handling, an ability to play tall, courage.
Negatives - A lack of speed, a lack of evasiveness.

Sam is probably better suited to playing behind the ball. He is better suited to running in straight lines.

He is one of the players required to take the next step in 2012 if we are going to become a good side. Sams apprenticeship is officially over.

 

[ozzyoslo]

If you want to play your preferred position you need to ask to play the opposite.

No wonder Cruise is playing in the ruck.

Youuuuuu funnn-eeeee Andy

 

[year of the roo]

Players that BF think should be in the forward line:
Petrie, Edwards, Harper, Adams, Black, Tarrant, McIntosh, Pedersen, Harvey, Wright, Thomas, Campbell.

12 doesn't go into 6. Wright goes back. Simples.

 

[The Other Dean]

Players that BF think should be in the forward line:
Petrie, Edwards, Harper, Adams, Black, Tarrant, McIntosh, Pedersen, Harvey, Wright, Thomas, Campbell.

12 doesn't go into 6. Wright goes back. Simples.

Pretty much. Fortunately, he has the talent and class to manage it.

For the time being anyway, I'd be inclined to rate his value to the side as outweighing any (potential) negligible downside that may come from not playing him forward.

 

[DunderHead]

Positives - Disposal, smarts, sure ball handling, an ability to play tall, courage.
Negatives - A lack of speed, a lack of evasiveness.

Sam is probably better suited to playing behind the ball. He is better suited to running in straight lines.

He is one of the players required to take the next step in 2012 if we are going to become a good side. Sams apprenticeship is officially over.

He certainly doesn't look quick. I wonder whether interruptions to every pre-season he's had on our list have gotten in the way of his fitness. IT's not easy looking quick when you're physically stuffed. From memory he has always played his best footy early in games and early in quarters.

By the pre-season reports his running has improved a great deal. I'm hoping his foot injury hasn't spoiled those gains.

 

[MaddAdam]

Slammin' Sammy was VERY good last night.

But will get a week.

Still, what he did was exactly what he copped off Cotchin in 2010 and then some other prick last year. Good to see he is dishing them out too.

Sam will take "the step up" this year.

 

[Husk]

I cant remember there being that much in the incident.

Agree he was good last night under a lot of pressure. 67 inside 50s or something to Essendon.

 

[Black Diamond]

Suspended for that? Oh well.

Who did he actually mark up on? He was good with the ball but defensively how did he go?