Graham Wright
Encyclopedia
Graham Wright is a former Australian rules football
er, in the Australian Football League
.
Wright was selected by Collingwood in the 1987 National Draft
with their first round pick (no.3 overall) as a quick wingman, having shown great courage for Tasmanian side East Devonport. Making his debut in 1988, Wright took his time to prove his value as a first-round draftee but in 1990 he had a fantastic year which saw him rise in ranking amongst the top wingmen in the league. Wright finished 2nd in the Brownlow Medal
to Tony Liberatore
by one vote in 1990, and would then finish equal 3rd in the Copeland Trophy
. Perhaps more importantly, Wright was a valuable member of the 1990 premiership side. Wright would also represent Tasmania
in State football.
A shock came to coach Leigh Matthews
and players at the end of 1991 when Wright announced he wanted to return to Tasmania to play football, but was talked out of it by Matthews. In 1993 he was a victim of a disease which threatened his playing career, but he recovered in the pre-season to continue playing his damaging football on the wing. Consistent football followed in the mid-90's before suffering a knee injury in 1996 against Richmond where he would require a knee reconstruction. Following the season ending injury, his main asset of pace was severely effected, and would play out his career in defence where his courage gave him an edge. Wright played his 200th game against Carlton in 1998, before retiring a week later at the end of the 1998 season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Wright was selected by Collingwood in the 1987 National Draft
1987 VFL Draft
The 1987 VFL Draft was the second draft to provide recruitment opportunities to clubs participating in Australian rules football's elite Victorian Football League. Held after the end of the 1987 season, it consisted only of the National Draft itself....
with their first round pick (no.3 overall) as a quick wingman, having shown great courage for Tasmanian side East Devonport. Making his debut in 1988, Wright took his time to prove his value as a first-round draftee but in 1990 he had a fantastic year which saw him rise in ranking amongst the top wingmen in the league. Wright finished 2nd in the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
to Tony Liberatore
Tony Liberatore
Anthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League ....
by one vote in 1990, and would then finish equal 3rd in the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
. Perhaps more importantly, Wright was a valuable member of the 1990 premiership side. Wright would also represent Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in State football.
A shock came to coach Leigh Matthews
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond "Lethal Leigh" Matthews AM is a former player and coach of Australian rules football. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League from 1969 to 1985, coached Collingwood from 1986–1995, and coached the Brisbane Lions from 1999 to 2008...
and players at the end of 1991 when Wright announced he wanted to return to Tasmania to play football, but was talked out of it by Matthews. In 1993 he was a victim of a disease which threatened his playing career, but he recovered in the pre-season to continue playing his damaging football on the wing. Consistent football followed in the mid-90's before suffering a knee injury in 1996 against Richmond where he would require a knee reconstruction. Following the season ending injury, his main asset of pace was severely effected, and would play out his career in defence where his courage gave him an edge. Wright played his 200th game against Carlton in 1998, before retiring a week later at the end of the 1998 season.