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Michael Wright (Australian footballer)

Michael Wright
Personal information
Full name Michael Wright
Date of birth (1959-10-06) 6 October 1959 (age 65)
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

Michael Wright (born 6 October 1959) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

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]
  1. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
  2. ^ "Michael Wright". AFL Tables.
  3. ^ The Age, "Swap deal unravels new Roo", 1 May 1981, p. 40
  4. ^ "Australian Football, Michael Wright Player Bio". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 27 September 2023.