Expansion clubs are unique beasts, devoid of the typical traditions and list builds the rest of the competition has been founded by. Since the draft’s inception in 1986, the importance of building one’s list through quality recruitment at the draft has gathered more momentum the longer it has drawn on.
 
At last year’s national draft, the Gold Coast SUNS selected Peter Wright with pick number eight. As a key position player, the buzz and hype surrounding him was immense in the lead up to that night in November. But landing on the Gold Coast, away from the football fishbowl’s in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth has already allowed Wright some breathing space to prepare his body adequately, without media scrutiny surrounding when he will be injected into the big time.
 
Injury cruelled the second half of Wright’s pre-season campaign, with a knee tendonitis issue flaring up and putting the breaks on what had been an impressive maiden summer in Carrara.
 
During the early stages of the season, the powerfully built teenager has played as the focal point in attack, both deep inside 50 and up through the arcs, patrolling the wings and using his strong endurance base to impact games. In three NEAFL appearances, Wright is averaging 15.7 possessions, 6.3 marks and 2.7 inside 50s per game – to go with three goals. Without setting the world on fire, Wright has begun his career in a strong manner.
 
Like all football clubs, young players have an abundance of resources at their disposal. In reserves coach, Josh Fraser, Wright has a perfect mentor to tap into and sponge information from, especially given the fact the former Magpies tap ruckman was taken with the first pick in the draft back in 1999. Thus, the pressures associated with being taken in the single digits are something he can vividly relate to.
 
Fraser, and the football department at Metricon Stadium, has maintained all along that they won’t be tempted into playing their prized draftee prematurely. Regardless of his obvious talent and impressive attitude, Fraser echoes the sentiments of Rodney Eade and other coaches over the pre-season: Wright will be given time to develop properly.
 
“If he’s at another AFL club they play reserves football – that’s the system. Ours is a bit unique in terms of our injury and the age demographic. You end up being forced to play younger players,” Fraser told goldcoastfc.com.au.
 
“Hopefully we’ve got a bit of a luxury with Pete where we can develop him in the twos and when he’s ready to play, we can play him. And hopefully that’s going to give him the best chance of staying in the senior side and performing at a higher level.
 
“I think any key position player takes a bit longer to develop, so we’ve just got to be a bit patient with him.
 
“He’s making good inroads, the temptation is we rush him but I think if we can keep developing him at this rate and get some consistency with our numbers and personnel that might enable him to work with the forward structure a little more.”
 
In the opening three rounds of the NEAFL season the setup inside the arc has changed each week, with Wright being the only regular face in attack. Charlie Dixon, Sam Day, Daniel Gorringe and Tyrone Downie have all been in one week and out the next, making it very difficult for synergy and cohesion to be built.
 
Moving forward, Fraser sees the Calder Cannons product continuing to play a variety of attacking roles, with his tank allowing him to play high up the ground and his one-on-one strength beneficial closer to goal. But for now, education is the focus for Wright. Leading patterns and decision making will improve with greater exposure.
 
“He’s required to cover a lot of ground in his role, but that suits him with his role. He’s getting in good spots, its just finishing his work and making sure he identifies the right time to lead and when not to lead and all those things that come with being a forward,” Fraser said.
 
With Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon both fit, the SUNS have the ability to sufficiently develop Wright in the reserves to ensure he’s well prepared for the challenge of playing at the elite level. But when the time is right, look at for Wright.