Peter Wright will endure a baptism of fire this weekend when he makes his debut against a red-hot Sydney outfit and without a host of first choice players alongside him.

As has been well documented throughout the last month, injuries have decimated the Gold Coast SUNS this season, leaving an embarrassment of riches sitting in the medical room.

Despite the mounting injury toll, Rodney Eade and the football department have remained true to their word this season. They have avoided temptation, allowing last year’s pick No. 8, Wright, to develop at his own pace in the NEAFL, away from the bright lights and mass expectation heaped upon high draft picks.

Wright has spent time playing deep inside 50 and up through the arcs, with his four-goal effort against the UWS Giants a fortnight ago the pick of his performances to date. After stringing together a handful of consistent four-quarter performances, the 18-year-old has impressed Eade with his attitude and appetite for work.

“He’s really improved every week. We didn’t have high expectations about him playing this year or playing a lot. Obviously injuries have helped his opportunities, but he’s deserved his chance,” Eade told SUNS TV.

“It’s going to be tough for him the next couple of weeks because we play the best two teams in the competition, the best two defences.

“With so many of our midfielders out, the forwards aren’t going to get the delivery they would expect so it’s going to be difficult to kick goals.

“But we’ve been really pleased with his work ethic, really pleased with his persistence. He’s got a very good future.”

A lifetime in the game has taught Eade to be realistic with his expectations of Wright in his debut, and in his first couple of seasons. The reality is key position players take longer than medium-sized players to influence games of football.
 
The former Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans mentor is confident Wright has a large future in the game, but he is resolute in his belief that the Victorian will take time to blossom into the player that could hold down a key post at Metricon Stadium for the best part of a decade.

“They do take a lot longer to mature and develop into AFL players. You have a look at Tom Hawkins. Tom really didn’t get going as a footballer until he was 22, 23 years of age,” Eade quipped.

“So they do take a bit longer to develop and we’ve got time on our side with Peter. We think the futures bright for him, but he won’t be hitting his straps for another four or five years yet.”