PETER Wright has been a shining light in an otherwise bleak Gold Coast Suns season and his form is being noticed at a high level.
Wright and teammates Jack Martin and Kade Kolodjashnij have been named in an initial 45-man squad from which the AFL Players Association 22Under22 team will be chosen.
The team, selected by the AFLPA board, recognises the best players under the age of 22 in the league.
The final 22-man team will be announced at the AFLPA awards on September 13.
“It’s pretty humbling to be named and it’s always nice to get individual accolades at this level of footy so it will be something nice to look back on at the end of the year,” Wright said.
Wright, who played three games in his debut season in 2015, has been involved in 16 of the club’s 21 games in 2016 in a breakout year in which he has kicked 27 goals.
The 19-year-old is one of the most accurate kickers at the club but his development in other areas of the game have been key to his enormous strides in 2016.
Wright said he was far from done developing as he focused on finishing the season off against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
“I’ve been really happy with my year personally and just to get the opportunity to play my role for the team has been pleasing,” Wright said.
“I didn’t put a ceiling on what I was or wasn’t going to be able to do this year.
“I’m still a long way off where I want to be and I just need to become a more well-rounded player.
“A big one for me is my defensive pressure and making sure that if I’m not marking the ball I can still put pressure on at ground level.
“Also inconsistency is one thing I’m trying to work on, to make sure I’m putting in four-quarter performances.”
Wright got his chance through injuries to teammates but impressed so much he became part of a new three-pronged tall forward line alongside Tom Lynch and Sam Day.
Wright said they wanted to form the best forward line in the AFL in the coming years as the Suns look to put two disappointing seasons behind them.
“Every forward line wants to be the best and in the years to come it will definitely be a focus of ours,” Wright said.
“Having three talls will help make us a potent forward line and if we each play our role and to our structures we will hopefully find some success.”