Collingwood are pinning their religion on Sam Wright to guide the Magpies on a merry dance up the ladder after appointing the previous North Melbourne utility as their new AFLW coach.
The Magpies have been looking out for a brand new coach since parting methods with Steve Symonds in November.
Symonds led Collingwood to finals motion in every of his first 4 seasons, however a disappointing Eleventh-placed end in 2023 price him his put up.
Wright has been an assistant at North Melbourne’s AFLW program for the previous two seasons.
And if his enjoying profession is something to go by, the 33-year-old is not afraid to suppose outdoors of the field.
Wright’s AFL profession was in grave hazard of being delivered to a really untimely finish after present process a number of surgical procedures on each of his ankles and in addition coping with ligament and stress response issues in his ft.
Out of desperation, Wright and North Melbourne turned to ballet to discover a answer to his ongoing ft points.
Wright was in a position to return to the sphere following a 701-day absence to play 16 video games in 2018, however he added simply 4 extra appearances in 2019 earlier than retiring two months shy of his twenty ninth birthday.
His expertise with ballet had whet his urge for food.
Following his 136-game AFL profession, Wright joined the Australian Ballet for a three-year stint as a dancer welfare and growth coordinator.
Wright then joined Cricket Victoria as a participant growth supervisor, spending time at each the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.
Collingwood president Jeff Browne was impressed by Wright’s expertise outdoors of the AFL.
“While Sam brings extensive experience within our game as both an AFL player and a coach, the work he has done to develop himself as both a person and a leader in a number of diverse environments outside of our game is equally as impressive,” Browne stated in a press release.
“His background, combined with his character, will greatly benefit our program and we look forward to seeing him play a pivotal role in driving the continued development and growth of our playing group.”
Wright stated it was an honour to be named head coach of the AFLW Magpies.
“I am grateful to be able to play a role alongside every player and staff member in driving elite standards within the AFLW program which will in turn lead to success,” Wright stated.
“I look forward to meeting this talented group of footballers very soon and cannot wait to get to work in what will be a very exciting next chapter of this program where we will strive to get better, together.”
NORTH MELBOURNE LISTS SAM WRIGHT’S BALLET-INSPIRED COMEBACK PATH
*Round 6, 2016 – Injures proper ankle – misses three video games.
*Round 11, 2016 – Sprains left ankle – surgical procedure.
*Round 19, 2016 – Return by way of VFL. Sore. Last recreation for 12 months.
*September, 2016 – Surgery on left ankle. Clean-up.
*December, 2016 – Surgery on proper ankle.
*Pre-season sequence, 2017 – Return. Plays one additional VFL apply match.
*April, 2017 – Suffers foot damage – misses eight weeks.
*Round 10, 2017 – Return by way of VFL. Three video games.
*August, 2017 – Season over. Further ankle surgical procedure.
*November, 2017 – Ballet to help with restoration.
*January, 2018 – Return to fundamental coaching.
*March/April, 2018 – Return for VFL apply match & begin of season.
*Round 7, 2018 – First AFL recreation in 701 days
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
