Defender Jordan Ridley was full of praise for first-year Bomber Peter Wright after the forward produced a breakout performance in Essendon’s win over the Bulldogs.
Wright was unstoppable at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, booting a career-high seven goals in an emphatic best-on-ground performance.
After being traded from Gold Coast to the Bombers in the 2020 NAB AFL Trade period for a future fourth-round draft pick, Wright has risen as a key target this season, kicking 25 goals to become a mainstay in the Dons’ forward line.
In the wake of the Bombers’ first win over the Dogs in six years, Ridley said Wright’s performance yesterday underlined how consistent the 25-year-old had been this season.
“Obviously, he was unbelievable yesterday,” Ridley told RSN’s The Breakfast Club.
“It was pretty evident when he got to the club that he was a super talented player, and he just needed the opportunity to really be the man and that would be enough for him to tear games apart like he did yesterday.
“I think he’s had a super consistent year despite how good he was yesterday, and he’s been really playing a key role for us week in, week out.
“He’s been a super pick-up for us.”
Wright’s individual performance and Essendon’s unbelievable result looked unlikely at quarter-time, following a dominant opening term from the league leaders.
Down by 13 points at the first break and with the Dogs’ high-disposal game in full swing, Ridley said it was pleasing to score a win after the Bombers backed in their process to produce the result.
“Despite the scoreline in the first quarter, we felt our pressure and our method we were trying to play was still pretty good, but they were sort of on top and getting clean ball inside 50,” he said.
“We stuck with it throughout the game, and it turned in that second quarter which was great (and) that’s the most pleasing thing for the players.
“The way we’re playing and the way we’re trusting our system has been really pleasing for us.”
The Bombers sit ninth on the ladder, two points behind GWS in eighth spot with games against Gold Coast and Collingwood to come.
