RDFL: Macedon captain James Wright celebrated after playing 200th match

MACEDON did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the contribution of its captain James Wright when he played his 200th Riddell District Football League game.

Macedon captain James Wright (second from left) hoists last year’s premiership trophy with coach Jeff Andrews. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

IT TOOK James Wright 194 games to experience the ultimate success with Macedon.

As he stood next to coach Jeff Andrews last year with the trophy in their hands, the weight of a 41-year premiership drought lifted from the skipper.

“I was trying not to buy into it being so long since the last one, but it was all that was talked about around the league leading up to it,” Wright said.

“It wasn’t until the final siren went I realised how much of the build-up it was.”

Wright understood the Cats’ four-decade wait for glory better than most.

The 29-year-old has been with the club since under-9s, graduating from the junior ranks to play his first senior game in 2005.

James Wright gets a hand in to cause a spoil against Romsey. Picture: Adam Elwood.

Seven matches into the current Riddell District Football League season, Macedon took the chance to celebrate its captain’s contribution when he reached the 200-game milestone.

His teammates delivered a defensive masterclass to crown the occasion, defeating Romsey by 55 points.

“There’s no doubt they are rare these days with how local footballers go from club to club,” Cats coach Ben Tankard said.

“He’s a beauty. He’s universally loved.

“I said before the game, to me James epitomises Macedon Football Club. He’s wholehearted, a heart-and-soul club person.”

Wright lives locally and said he has had “no reason” to play anywhere else.

“It is my local club,” he said.

“The blokes you play with, the people, the volunteers and the whole vibe of the place (make you want to stay).”

Tankard said installing Wright as captain again was an “easy” decision after he succeeded Andrews, such is the esteem he is held in by his teammates.

“He’s the ring leader, the pied piper and all the boys follow him,” he said.

“He’s just a really good footballer, but the thing I love most about him is he is such a selfless and team-first person.”

Wright has been deployed at half-forward this year and has averaged better than a-goal-per-game since the start of 2011.

“We try and keep him at half-forward because he is quite strong in a contest and a good finisher,” Tankard said.

Wright, who spoke of the “relief” and “shock” he felt after last year’s flag, said he had no plans to retire soon as he chases more success with his boyhood club.

“I still hope to play for a few years yet if, touch wood, everything goes all right with injuries,” he said.