Seventh heaven for Wright potential injury blow for Bruce

Essendon big man Peter Wright had the game of his life and kicked a career-high seven goals on Sunday at Marvel Stadium, but at the other end of the ground Josh Bruce’s night ended in agony with a suspected ACL injury.

Wright’s standout performance - booting seven goals from just nine kicks - was instrumental in the Bombers climbing to within half a game of the top eight.

Peter Wright celebrates one of his seven goals. Credit:AFL Photos

Coleman Medal hopeful Bruce bagged two majors but finished the game with what looms as a potential serious injury concern.

Essendon’s efficiency trumped the Bulldogs’ wastefulness in a game in which the contrasting fortunes of both team’s forwards told the story, as Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge pointed out.

Counterpart Ben Rutten on the other hand was delighted for Wright, who was traded to the Bombers from struggling Gold Coast having failed to feature for the Queenslanders in 2020.

“It was pretty good, wasn’t it,” said Rutten when asked about Wright’s best-afield display.

“I think he has had some really strong games throughout the season and he is starting to build some real momentum and consistency in his game, and tonight he was able to get on the end of a few and his goal kicking was fantastic.

“His ability to present at the ball was great and I think some of our decision making and ball use going inside 50 certainly helped him as well.

“Pete had a good day out. (Aaron) Francis kicked two and was a really strong target in the first half and (Sam) Draper drifted down there too. It was pleasing that our big guys were able to impact.

“Pete’s done the work. The way he showed up, his willingness to learn and really looked to grow his game has been first class, really fantastic. Its nice to see him get some reward.

“Things might not have worked out for him last year but the way he has applied himself at our club has been fantastic.”

It was a glum Beveridge who was despondent at his side’s inability - after a bright start when they dominated the first quarter but could only build a 13 point lead - to convert their chances.

Josh Bruce is attended to after the siren.Credit:AFL Photos

“I don’t think I have come across a game like that, where they kicked 15.7 from 39 inside 50s, and we were really inefficient and they were very efficient. To have 60 inside 50s to 39 and lose the game by that small margin it’s hard to process,” Beveridge said.

“That was largely the game. (They were) too clean out of centre bounce and their kicking to their forwards was very very good. We don’t usually put our backs under that much pressure, but we couldn’t defend big Peter Wright and he kicked extraordinarily well.

“We didn’t tackle like we usually tackle either and that was another inefficiency. Just the quality of Essendon’s game allowed them to outlast us.”

Bruce will be examined tomorrow to determine the severity of what the club fears could be an ACL injury.

“It’s not looking good, but our guys will confirm what the outcome is after a scan tomorrow,” Beveridge said.

“Asked if it was an ACL he replied: “that seems to be the fear.

“We shouldn’t write it up until we get confirmation. It’s a bit risky. When the medicos infer that something as drastic as that has happened, they always want confirmation.

“We don’t know the extent of it. You get ones that surprise you, we still hold out a bit of a hope.“
He was more optimistic about Josh Schache, who went off the ground and came back on.

“He just jarred his knee, got a little bit of bruising. Our guys think he’s going to be okay.”

Michael Lynch is The Age's chief soccer reporter and also reports on motor sport and horseracing

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