RooTube EXCLUSIVE: Samuel Wright Interview

THE DECISION by Murray Bushrangers coach Phil Bunn to play new North Melbourne forward Samuel Wright in defence may have bettered his chances of getting drafted.

Bunn says Wright, selected by North at No.27 in last Saturday's NAB AFL Draft, thrived as a backman when shifted mid-season – quite like he did when representing the Bushrangers under-16s side.

Monitoring Wright's development over the last three years, Bunn felt a continued role in attack was encouraging complacency even though he had started the year well.

"In my eyes he got to the stage where he wasn't working hard enough and wasn't playing with enough intensity," Bunn said.

"He got to a level where he was happy to go out and kick his two or three goals a week and do some really nice things. I felt that for somebody with his talent, he needed to be extended further and hence the move to the backline.

"It was really only in the grand final that we put Sam right back up forward."

Wright was one of his side's better players in the premiership win over Dandenong, an impressive close to his time with the Murray Bushrangers 18s that started with 15 goals in three weeks.

"He impacted the TAC Cup immediately – his first game with us," Bunn said. "I remember it clearly, it was up at Lavington. He showed then that TAC Cup-level was going to be well within his means."

Another Bushranger, Jack Ziebell, joined North with its first pick at No.9, preserving a connection that may have helped the pair in their first few days as Roos – a camp at Wilsons Promontory on Victoria's southern coast.

"[It's] good to at least have a familiar face there, not that it would have mattered to either of them," Bunn said.

"I caught up with Jack on Saturday in person, but spoke to Sammy on the phone. He was over the moon, pretty excited about the opportunity, and couldn't quite believe it had happened.

"Now he has to get down there and get on with it. Sam's got a lot of upside yet because he's pretty underdeveloped physically.

"He needs to really work hard in the gym and build his body up to be able to cope with the rigours of AFL footy."

Wright played 21 games in 2008, averaging 18 possessions, and North recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said on Saturday that he hopes the 18-year-old will develop into a wingman.