North Melbourne premiership player Sarah Wright has announced her retirement from AFLW, closing the curtain on a remarkable career that culminated in the club’s maiden premiership in 2024.
Wright played 61 games in the royal blue and white since arriving at the club with pick No.32 in the 2019 AFLW Draft. She quickly forged a reputation as one of the league’s most consistently reliable and underrated medium defenders.
Known for her powerful one-on-one defending and strong intercept marking, Wright was regularly tasked with curtailing the opposition's most dangerous mid-sized forwards.
Her best season came in North Melbourne’s undefeated 2024 premiership winning campaign, where the defender finished third in the Club Champion award, behind star duo Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner.
Wright was a star at the heart of the AFLW's stingiest defence, which conceded a league-low 208 points across the 2024 season.
The decision to retire comes after she stepped away from playing this season as she focused on her mental health.
A lifelong North Melbourne fan, Wright grew up in suburban Keilor with her three sisters including her identical twin, Gemma, who she shared the field with at Carlton during the 2019 VFLW season.
North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini paid tribute to Wright’s immense contribution.
"Sarah will forever be a North Melbourne premiership player, and her impact on this club has been immeasurable, both on and off the field. She embodies the true Kangaroo spirit - loyal, reliable, and fiercely competitive," Lorenzini said.
"She remains such a highly respected person and we owe so much to her dedication and courage. Her decision to play on after contemplating retirement in 2023, and then helping us achieve our first AFLW flag, is something we will forever be grateful for.
"She provided the backbone for our defence that season, and so much of what we achieved this year can be traced back to her influence on several of our younger and less experienced players.
"We wish Sarah all the very best as she moves into the next chapter of her life, and she will always be welcome and supported at Arden Street."
Wright reflected on her time at the highest level and thanked her support network for being there over her career.
"North Melbourne has always felt like home to me. I don’t think I said a word in my first year but I quickly found my feet here and the environment allowed me to grow so much as a person. There is so much I’ll miss, but most of all I’ll miss the backline group. It’s been such a ride, and being part of last year’s premiership will always hold a special place in my heart.
"I want to say a huge thank you to (club president) Sonja (Hood), (CEO) Jen (Watt) and the wider club for their support on my footy journey. And to the AFLW program, the staff, coaches and medical team, in particular Rhys Harwood who has been my biggest and closest supporter over many years in the program – thank you.
"Finally, to my mum, dad and sisters, and to Kate – I wouldn’t have got to this point in footy and life without your constant support."
