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For the English footballer, see Sam Wright (English footballer).

Samuel Wright (born 15 July 1990[1]) is a former Australian rules footballer and the current senior coach of Collingwood in the AFL Women's competition. Wright played 136 games for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), and was a welfare and development coordinator at The Australian Ballet.

AFL career

Wright was drafted by North Melbourne with the 27th overall selection of the 2008 AFL Draft from the Murray Bushrangers. He made his debut on 16 May 2009 against Geelong, and received a Rising Star nomination in round 21, 2010.[2]

Wright's career was disrupted in 2016 and 2017 by a series of sesamoid bone fractures in his foot and ankle, and two ruptured ligaments, requiring five ankle surgeries. Wright turned to ballet for physical therapy, guided by Sue Mayes, the principal physiotherapist with The Australian Ballet.[3][4] Wright returned on 5 May 2018 for a two-point win over Sydney, collecting 18 possessions and seven marks in his first AFL game in 701 days.[5]

On 3 October 2018, Wright signed a contract for his eleventh season with North Melbourne.[6]

Following another ankle injury, Wright announced his retirement on 30 July 2019.[7] Wright joined The Australian Ballet as the Dancer Welfare & Development Coordinator.[8]

In December 2023, Wright was appointed coach of Collingwood for the 2024 AFL Women's season.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Samuel Wright Player Profile
  2. ^ Holmesby, Luke (24 August 2010). "NAB AFL Rising Star round 21: Sam Wright". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  3. ^ Wood, Lauren (5 December 2017). "Kangaroo Sam Wright turns to ballet in recovery from foot and ankle injuries". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  4. ^ "On the Wright foot". NMFC.com.au. Telstra Media. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Waite helps fellow Roos AFL forward Wood". SBS News. Australian Associated Press. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  6. ^ Cherny, Daniel (3 October 2018). "Wright remains a Roo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  7. ^ Beveridge, Riley (30 July 2019). "Injury-plagued Roos defender announces retirement". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Sam's New World". 19 December 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Former Roo Sam Wright named Pies' AFLW coach". ESPN.com. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.

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