Taking the reins as new North Mackay Saints' coach

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL: He has 100 games under his belt for the North Mackay Saints alone and a lifetime of experience in the game.

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL: He has 100 games under his belt for the North Mackay Saints alone and a lifetime of experience in the game.

It's clear that Peter Wright is the man for the job as the new Saints coach for this season.

Wright grew up playing footy in Western Australia before moving to South Australia to play senior footy in the Central District League.

He then moved to Mackay in 1996 and joined the Saints squad where he played 100 games for the team before retiring from the sport eight years ago.

"The last three years, I haven't been involved in the footy as much," Wright said.

"Then I saw the application for coaching role and I jumped at it. I have always wanted to have a crack at coaching. This will be my first year."

Wright's plan for the squad is to have intense pre-season involving lots of running and leg work.

He wants the players on the team to be fit and ready as well as add some youth to the squad with development of younger players.

"I want the team to follow a run-and-flow game plan and basically run the opposition team ragged," he said.

Wright is adamant the club is very family friendly and also has a very good junior program.

"We are lucky to have most of the last year's roster of players returning as well as four new players," he said.

The draw for the season is expected to be released later this week.

Wright is expecting a year of challenges and learning curves but is confident he and the team will overcome them.

"We are aiming for a top two spot. This will give us a second chance at the top result," Wright said.

"That's what we want. To be back in the final and get the ultimate result to cap off the season."

Wright has this season in focus but he is also looking into the future for what could lie ahead.

"I definitely see us performing well as a team and a club this season and I see myself being a long-time coach," he said.

Originally published as Taking the reins as new North Mackay Saints' coach