Speaking to NMFC.com.au on Sunday (Utah time), the classy utility couldn’t hide his excitement for the 2014 season.
“There’s just a different feeling around the group – it’s hard to explain. Watching the boys go through the match simulation, it’s really exciting to watch,” he said.
“I really believe that something’s clicked. I know it sounds a bit cliché, but the penny’s dropped that we’re not young anymore. We’ve built our list up really well and it’s time to start delivering.
“Last year was a poor year and a really poor result. Everyone’s just determined to firstly get a spot because it’s really competitive, but secondly make finals.”
While Wright is quick to point out that most clubs will consider themselves as ‘flying’ at this time of year, he says the players are simply trying to focus on what they can control.
“With Luke McDonald being there one day a week last year, even he’s picking up on the game-plan. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but we are close to getting it down-pat.
“The quicker we can all do that and work together the better a side we will be.
“At the moment it’s looking really good, but we’ve just got to keep working extra hard at it so that when it does come to the last five minutes of games we can take the opportunities.”
Coming into the third week of the club’s high-altitude camp, being over 8,000 miles from home can provide its challenges.
“Three or four weeks away from your family and your friends… it does get to be tough, but this is half the reason that we come over here, is to build that mental toughness,” Wright added.
“When everything gets tough you rely on your team-mates and there’s no better situation than this.”
The players are living at close quarters with six or seven assigned to each room.Tthe bonding side of the camp has proven just as important as the physical battles..
Wright believes a tight-knit playing group striving for the same goal has been vital.
“The guys are all really committed to getting the most out of themselves and we all want to be part of making this team successful.
“It’s the most we’ve ran and the most we’ve been conditioned since I’ve been at the club, so times are tough, but we’re definitely seeing gains.”
