Graham Wright (footballer)

Infobox afl player


firstname = Graham
lastname = Wright


birthdate = Birth date and age|1968|6|6|df=y
birthplace = Tasmania, Australia
originalteam = East Devonport (Tas)
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = 1988
debutteam = Collingwood
debutopponent =
debutstadium =
playingteams = Collingwood (1988-1998)

201 games, 107 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2006
careerhighlights =

*2nd Brownlow Medal 1990
*3rd best and fairest 1990 (eq)
*premiership side 1990

Graham Wright (born 6 June 1968) is a former Australian rules footballer, 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 with great courage shown for Tasmanian side East Devonport. Making his debut in 1988, Wright took his time to prove a first-round draftee but in 1990 he had a fantastic year which added him to the elite wingers in the league. Wright finished 2nd in the Brownlow Medal to Tony Liberatore by one vote, and would then finish equal 3rd in the Copeland Trophy, but more importantly 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, a week earlier before retiring.

External links

*AflRleague|ref=G/Graham_Wright.html