Michael Wright (born 6 October 1959) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Michael Wright | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Wright | ||
| Date of birth | 6 October 1959 | ||
| Original team(s) | Oakleigh Districts | ||
| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1978–1980 | South Melbourne | 40 (14) | |
| 1981–1983 | Central District | 60 (165) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1983. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Wright was a versatile key-position player, recruited from Oakleigh Districts, the same club his brother Stephen started out at. Their father Jack holds the most games played record with the Box Hill Football Club.[1]
He first played in the 1978 VFL season. In his second game, against Fitzroy at Junction Oval, he kicked five behinds but only one goal. Despite starting as a forward, he was often as a full-back by South Melbourne and he had his most productive season in 1979 with 17 appearances. He played some good football from centre half-forward in 1980 and in a win over Footscray took nine marks and had 21 disposals.[2]
In 1981 he was involved in a three-way trade, which resulted in him joining SANFL club Central District. North Melbourne player Maurice Boyse was Wright's replacement, and North received Peter Jonas from Central District.[3]
As a forward, he was a regular fixture in the Central District team but after a pay dispute in 1984 left the club for North Adelaide.
He is the brother of Stephen Wright.[4]
References edit
- ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
- ^ "Michael Wright". AFL Tables.
- ^ The Age, "Swap deal unravels new Roo", 1 May 1981, p. 40
- ^ "Australian Football, Michael Wright Player Bio". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.