Shepparton News’ Goulburn Valley League Football Player of the Month for June: Benalla’s Nathan Wright

While Wright’s impact in the forward half has been impressive all year, the past few games have had the young gun push himself into star territory.

A total of 18 goals from his past three games has had Wright move five clear atop of the goal-kicking tally and, more importantly, receive The News’ GVL Football Player of the Month award for June.

The 193cm forward said a change in tactics due to an injury had helped him become more of a threat inside 50.

“From the interleague game, I tweaked my hammy a little bit, so I spoke to Jarrad (Waite) a bit and have been playing a bit more of a deep forward role and stretching the ground,” Wright said.

“The last few weeks Benalla has been going pretty well, we have strung a few wins together and the midfielders have been getting the ball to me on a string, so that has definitely been helping me.

“The boys getting it to me with lace out passes and the team playing better has definitely helped me as a forward.”

With a league-wide equal season-high nine goals in a match against Mooroopna, a bag of five in a 119-point loss to Shepparton Swans and a handy haul of four against Shepparton United in his past three matches, Wright’s ability in attack is clear.

The 22-year-old said part of the reason behind his decision to join Benalla was due to the fact champion AFL goal-kicker Waite was the coach.

“I was on Train Stop, so I spoke to quite a few different clubs, but I knew a bloke who came from Benalla and had seen Jarrad Waite as a coach and figured I could learn a thing or two from him,” he said.

“A lot of forward role, perfect leading patterns, bodywork and whatever he has seen he has just opened out to me.

“Little clues on how to get away from defenders a bit easier and get at the ball.”

With 41 goals from 11 games, Wright has adjusted to life as a full-time key forward for the first time in his career with aplomb.

Back home in Queensland, Wright played for QAFL club Labrador often as a half-back flanker under the tutelage of a Sydney Swans premiership hero.

Wright had been contemplating a move to Victoria for some time and was thrilled to move to a town 1,509km from his old football club.

“(A friend) said (Benalla) had a really good club environment, which has been very true," he said.

“I had played a bit of forward in 2023, but coming down I said to them that I could play at either end of the ball.

“I have come in mainly playing backline because I had Nick Malceski coaching me for a bit at Labrador, so I learnt a lot of backline stuff off him.

“Whatever (Benalla) needed I was going to have a crack at and they needed a key forward, especially with Jarrad playing less games. Obviously has worked out so far.”

Wright’s willingness to fly at packs with the velocity of a cannonball makes him a threat to defenders big and small.

Either clunking contested grabs with his vice-like hands or bringing the ball to ground for his crumb-gobbling small forwards, Wright looks to influence every contest he enters.

His physicality, goal sense and football nous have had him be touted for VFL level and Wright hopes it means opportunities for higher honours could soon become available.

“Been in talks with Werribee for the last few weeks and just keeping up with form,” he said.

“I went down to training last night on Tuesday and they were happy with me, so I will get down to training each week with them and hopefully keep pushing for a spot. Hopefully, end of the year or next season going forward.

“I just want to keep up the good work, of course I want to win the goal-kicking for the GVL because that would be a real proud thing.

“It’s my first year as a proper key forward, so that is something I am really leading towards.

“Also wanting to take my game to the next level, which of course is VFL.”