Rejuvenated Essendon forward line ready to launch in 2023, says Peter Wright

A key forward has given an update on his recovery from a leg injury as the Bombers revamp their attack for season 2023.

Peter Wright says he is looking forward to working with a ‘more diverse’ Bombers forward line in 2023. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon spearhead Peter Wright says the Bombers will enter 2023 armed with more forward firepower as two stars firm for the opening rounds clash with Hawthorn.

Wright said a calf injury sustained at the end of last month had given him “a scare” but scans had come back clear, with the reigning Bombers best and fairest expecting to play in both his side’s practice matches against Gold Coast and St Kilda.

“It was a pretty clean scan actually and to this point I’ve been building back up into full training,” Wright said.

“I’ve been able to do a lot of work even on the sidelines, still getting the running in, and I feel really fit and ready to go.

“Last week I did just about everything … I’ll play (in the intraclub match) on Thursday and move forward to the match sims against Gold Coast and the Saints.”

Peter Wright says small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is building his fitness in his comeback from retirement. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Wright said he was thrilled for returning teammate Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti as he gained fitness and pushed for an early season return in his comeback from retirement.

“A fit and health Tony is better for everyone – he obviously adds a different dynamic and I feel like we’re starting to look like a more diverse front six,” Wright said.

“First things first with Tony, we want him to be enjoying his life and enjoying his footy, and I feel like he’s been able to do that.

“He’s been really healthy the whole pre-season, I don’t think he’s missed a training session, which is really important for him to build his fitness up.”

With Jake Stringer a certainty to play in the Bombers’ Gold Coast scratch match according to coach Brad Scott, and strong pre-season form from Jye Menzie and Alwyn Davey Jr, Wright said he was looking forward to seeing the revamped attack take shape.

Wright booted 53 goals last year but says he can still improve his overall impact on games. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I’m not sure exactly how that looks at the moment and who that will be in particular, but we feel like we’re going to have a lot of different threats up there in different ways,” he said.

Becoming more involved at ground level and linking with other teammates in attack was a key focus for Wright this pre-season, he said.

“I feel confident in my own footy and where it’s at. I still think I’ve got a lot of different areas that I really want to work on and just really build on last year,” he said.

“I think not just trying to mark or hit packs but trying to find other ways, other avenues to impact, and I always want to get more consistent and find other ways to get people into the game.”

Originally published as Rejuvenated Essendon forward line ready to launch in 2023, says Peter Wright