But after a tough couple of years, the number 19 knows the hard work has just begun.
Speaking to NMFC.com.au, Wright explained the faith shown by the coaching staff helped him get back.
“I felt I worked hard on the areas I needed to improve in my time in the VFL and I was able to get them up to a consistent level,” he said.
“I came in with confidence that I could do that at an AFL level and repay the coaches for the faith in me.
“In saying that, it doesn’t stop there. I know I’ve got the rest of the season to go and I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got to maintain the last couple of weeks.”
While 52 disposals across the last two weeks is impressive from a numbers perspective, the defensive work as part of a seasoned back six has been of greater importance to Wright. His experience in the VFL earlier in the season has helped him immensely.
“One of the areas for me (to work on in the VFL) was to defend by also helping out your team-mates in terms of getting back to impact as a third man up. That side of it was important, instead of just worrying about your opponent and nothing else.
“That’s been a positive thing for me over the last couple of weeks but in saying that, in this role if you lose concentration for a second your opponent is free.”
Wright had a slow start to the season, playing just one of the first nine matches, but he says the chance to complete the best part of a pre-season was vital.
“I only had my shoulder operation during the pre-season so I was able to run and get the benefits of that despite the injury,” he added.
“I went over to Utah a week early as well which was a big help. The whole training block (pre-season) was quite hard and I found it was the hardest pre-season we’d had. For all the boys to get through that - one, it was mental and two, physically we’re all starting to see the benefits now.
“I was struggling for fitness a bit earlier in the year but now I feel like I can not only defend but really run hard and get off my opponent to give something the other way.”
Following the victory over Hawthorn, Brad Scott spoke about the challenges Wright had faced in 2014 as he bounced in and out of the side. The coach also spoke about potential areas of improvement.
“The challenge for Sam Wright is to play that way regardless of the stature of his opponent. It’s been a hard lesson for Sam,” Scott said.
“He’s been left out of the side a lot, he’s been dropped regularly. The next challenge is whether he can do it consistently. He’s one of the players who reflects our season a little bit.”
Wright is confident he has the formula to keep his spot in the side.
“It comes down to mindset really. For me it’s about simplifying my focus going into games and really working out what the team wants of me and building that trust with the other defenders is going to make you a more consistent defence in the long run.
“Personally I feel like I’ve found that consistent level over the last six weeks in the VFL and then the AFL, but I have to just guarantee I’m giving the same level each week to come.
“Having so many people capable of playing in positions really makes everyone focus in on what they need to do to become consistent. Because you can have two good weeks and then one bad week can cost you your spot.
“Coming to the pointy end of the season, everyone wants to be there. The thing is though, if everyone’s playing their best footy it’s going to make it really tough for the coaches to pick.
“Everyone playing at their best makes for a good, balanced, consistent side.”
