Statewide Super League Top 50 – No.45

By ZAC MILBANK

He may be in the twilight of his career but that doesn’t prevent Adelaide’s SANFL captain Matthew Wright from having an impact.

Selected at No.45 in the Statewide Super League Top 50, Wright knows when to elevate his game if his team needs a spark while also previously acting as an on-field assistant coach.

Despite spending more time inside attacking 50m in 2019, the 30-year-old still managed to average 19 disposals at 84 per cent efficiency, together with six marks and three tackles.

And the North Adelaide draftee also hit the scoreboard to finish with 20 goals from 21 starts last season while also bringing many of Adelaide’s young forwards into the play with unselfish goal assists.

Making his SANFL League debut under the guidance of Andrew Jarman in 2007, Wright importantly has a strong respect for the history of the competition after featuring in a total of 93 matches for the Roosters and Crows.

His experience at West Lakes is proving invaluable considering he has also played in 159 AFL games for Adelaide and Carlton between 2011 and 2018.

Selected by SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank, the 2020 Statewide Super League Top 50 is being unveiled one player at a time on the League’s website and social media channels.

Form across the 2019 season was used as a significant factor in the selection process, with those winning awards such as best-and-fairests, being selected in State squads and leadership groups also looked upon favourably.

Recruits to the Statewide Super League have also been included, with significant AFL experience another element in deciding the order of players.

45 – Matthew Wright (Adelaide)
46 – Dean Gore (Sturt)
47 – Tom Keough (West)
48 – Jesse Lonergan (Eagles)
49 – Alex Spina (North)
50 – Logan Hill (West)