Every cloud has a silver lining and despite the Gold Coast SUNS’ 38-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium, forward Peter Wright announced himself as a star in the making.

The 2014 No. 8 draft pick booted three goals and should have had four, missing a simple set shot in the dying seconds of the contest.

Wright also collected 17 disposals, eight marks (four contested) and five inside 50s in a solid all-round performance by the 19-year-old.

After the game, Wright revealed it was a big step up from NEAFL level but one that he thoroughly enjoyed.

“Definitely a step up. Feel like I’ve been able to develop my game over the pre-season and start of the season in the NEAFL,” Wright told BLK RAW.

“It was a hot footy, I loved it out there.”

In his three senior games in 2015, the Calder Cannons product was often out positioned and pushed off the ball too easily but it’s an area of Wright’s game he seems to have rectified over the summer months.

A big pre-season on the track has allowed Wright to develop his body to be far more capable of withstanding the rigours of professional football.

“I feel a lot stronger. I think the work with Zane and JC in the gym’s helped me a lot. Feel stronger and more confident in my body,” Wright said.

“I guess that allows me to back me in a little bit more with my aerial contests and stuff like that so the physical side of it’s definitely helped.”

The prodigious talent didn’t just spend time up forward, chopping out in the ruck for SUNS debutant Dan Currie against North’s All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein, an experience that allowed him to learn some valuable lessons.

“Obviously a very good player, reigning All Australian,” he said.

“I think his work around the ground, his ability to get forward and get on the end of their forward forays. They looked to use him a fair bit as he uses the ball pretty well and he gets in pretty dangerous spots.

“The running patterns from him from stoppages, it was a good one to learn.”

Wright’s football education is in good hands; he has current Coleman Medal leader Tom Lynch to learn from day-in, day-out.

“Tommy’s in really good form, I think he kicked another four tonight. He’s marking everything and his instruction on the ground was really good,” Wright said.

“I learn a lot from him at training and on game day as well so still pick up things that he does and his instructions are valuable.”