Essendon is hoping recruit Peter Wright can spearhead the club’s attack this season.
Wright was traded to the Bombers from Gold Coast in a boost to their tall forward stocks following the departure of Joe Daniher to Brisbane.
The former No.8 draft pick was unable to add to his 66 games with the Suns in 2020, but will look to repay the faith shown by Essendon and coach Ben Rutten.
Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy believes Wright has two more years to prove himself at AFL level.
The 24-year-old joined the Bombers on a three-year deal last trade period.
“We know that they’re putting a lot of their eggs in the Peter Wright basket,” Healy told Sportsday.
“Peter Wright came in as an 18-year-old high draft pick and is yet to have a serious influence on this competition.
“He’s struggled. He couldn’t get a guernsey for the Suns, they went past him.
“He has a year or two to maintain his position on an AFL list. They’re really putting a lot of eggs in that basket.”
Healy was surprised that Essendon delisted Shaun McKernan given Daniher’s exit and their shortage of key forward options.
McKernan was snapped up by St Kilda as a delisted free agent and will provide forward and ruck cover throughout the upcoming season.
“I was surprised to see them get rid of (Shaun) McKernan,” Healy said.
“He’s a guy that’s got a lot better the older he’s got and if you’re Essendon, given that he would be taking up no real space in the salary cap, I would have kept him on.”
Healy can’t see Essendon winning more than eight games in 2021.
