Dons’ great sets goals target for forward

ESSENDON’S hopes of seriously contending in 2022 could rest on the shoulders of Peter Wright.

With Cale Hooker retired, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti currently sidelined, Jake Stringer expected to spend more time in the midfield and Harris Jones out with an ankle injury, much could rely on the 25-year-old in attack.

Former Bombers star Matthew Lloyd has high expectations of the former ex-Gold Coast Sun, who impressed at times in his debut season in the red and black last year, returning 29 goals from 21 games.

Lloyd believes that if Wright can elevate himself to become a more reliable goalkicking option and perhaps take his tally towards the 60-goal mark, then the Dons will benefit greatly.

“He looks a much better player already at Essendon, he looks a more confident player,” Lloyd said on Sportsday.

“He had a breakout game last year when he kicked seven against the Bulldogs so he’s shown what he can do for one game.

“I think he should be looking to kick two or three a week and if he can kick 60 goals, that’s a huge season.”

Lloyd said the situation with the club’s forward line will see Wright receive plenty of chances to deliver this season.

“A lot of ball is going to go through him this year,” he said. “So he’s got much more opportunity to kick a lot more goals.

“He got 29 last year so you think he’s only going to get better than that.”

Gerard Healy concurs with Lloyd’s sentiment, believing there is enormous potential waiting to be unlocked.

Healy also said Wright can go to another level and be Essendon’s leading act inside forward 50.

“There’s another level I reckon,” he said. “If the Bombers are to be a premiership side, he should be part of that.

“Kevin Sheehan talked about this bloke as if it was Matthew Lloyd coming through. He’s a different player, clearly, because he could become a forward/ruck and they’re hard to find.

“If he can kick 50 to 60 goals then Essendon are a threat.

“This is the crystal ball element where you’ve got to look at a bloke and say, ‘what is he capable of?’

“His potential is exactly what Lloydy is saying, it’s 50-plus goals.”

In his career to date, Wright has kicked 114 goals from 87 matches with his best return of 31 coming while at the Suns in 2017.

– BY ANDREW SLEVISON/ SEN