Nathan Wright didn’t break into Alan Richardson’s side until Round 12 last season. But by the end of the year, the hard-nosed utility had added 10 appearances to his name and carved out a niche as a defensive half-forward.
Having spent the first four and a half years of his time at Linen House Centre at half-back, the 23-year-old was given an opportunity at the other end of the ground after a strong showing in the VFL. From there, Wright didn't look back.
The Dandenong Stingrays product has spent the pre-season training for the role that breathed life into his career midway through last season and is determined to lock down a similar role in 2017.
“My first four years I played that half-back role, but I guess you bring similar attributes to that small forward role with the pressure, tackling and just getting in their face and causing forward turnovers and locking the ball in,” Wright told saints.com.au after St Kilda’s one-point win over Port Adelaide on Thursday night.
“It’s been a good change, I’ve really enjoyed it so hopefully I can continue to play there. Me, ‘Lones’ and Mav sort of play that similar role. It’s good fun, you get to crack in, lay a few tackles.”
But while Wright did find a role in the second half of last season, he knows he will have his work cut out for him with a handful of players fighting for only a couple of spots.
Wright, Jack Lonie, Mav Weller and Koby Stevens all spent time in the role on Thursday night, while Jack Sinclair and Darren Minchington missed out. Like all across the ground, competition for spots is fierce ahead of the 2017 campaign.
“It’s red hot at the moment, pretty much everywhere is full on for spots, especially the small forwards. I think that’s really healthy for the club, everyone’s fighting for a spot and the club’s in a good way,” Wright said.
After a full summer on the track in Seaford, Wright was happy to get the first hit out of the way and to find some touch ahead of Round 1, which is now only 29 days away.
“It was good to get out there and have a run around. We’ve been getting slogged for the last four months in pre-season so it was just good to get the first hit out,” he said.
"It felt like an in-season game and we’re pretty cooked now, so it was good to get that one under our belt."
