Australian Football

Despite managing just 21 senior games in his first four seasons with Richmond, Roy Wright ultimately developed into one of the all time greats of the game, with two Brownlow Medals, and numerous other awards and accolades, to his credit. He always used his formidable 103 kg weight with consummate fairness, but with ever-increasing effectiveness as well.

When Jack Dyer retired at the end of the 1949 season Wright shouldered his mantle as number one Tiger ruckman with considerable aplomb, winning club best-and-fairest awards in 1951 (jointly with Des Rowe), 1952, 1954 and 1957 in addition to his two Brownlows.

18 times selected to represent the VFL in interstate matches, he earned All Australian selection at the 1956 Perth carnival. He sustained numerous injuries during his 195 game VFL career, which began in 1946 and ended in 1959, including debilitating leg and lower back complaints. He also broke his nose on no fewer than nine separate occasions. It came as a surprise to few people when Roy Wright was selected as first ruckman in Richmond's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney