Young Tigers gun beyond excited for State gameFriday, May 3, 2024 - 10:24 AM - by Chris Pike

CLAUDIA Wright is thriving at Claremont in 2024 after having to miss last season as she shows what a bright future she has but the immediate focus is now on helping the WAFLW team beat the SANFLW on Saturday at Optus Stadium.

Wright has long been seen as one of the brightest emerging young footballers in the state coming through at Claremont and she did get a taste of WAFLW football playing 10 games in the Tigers team that went on to win the premiership in 2022.

A wrist injury robbed her of the chance to play in 2023, but she has picked right back up playing better than ever before so far this 2024 season with the league-leading Tigers and her form has been rewarded.

Wright has been selected in the final team to represent Western Australia in Saturday afternoon's State game against South Australia at Optus Stadium in another step towards what looks like being an AFLW future for the Year 12 student.

The 17-year-old can play a variety of roles and is making the most of her chances through the midfield for Claremont this year, but she can also play forward, back or on the wing, and is even big enough to play as a key position player if need be.

That means she is quite the impressive emerging all-round talent who is so far averaging 20.8 disposals in her six games with Claremont so far this year having overcome that wrist injury that took her out of 2023.

Excitement for State game

Wright is now one of eight Tigers players who will play for the WAFLW on Saturday alongside Claire Ortlepp, Jayme Harken, Emily Bonser, Kate Orme, Jacinta Valentini, Anjelique Raison and Adele Arnup.

Now that the game is so close and there's the added thrill of playing at Optus Stadium, and Wright can't hide her excitement.

"It’s beyond exciting! With a few nerves sprinkled on top. But since being told Tuesday night I made the final team, I’ve really reflected on the opportunity that it is," Wright said.

"Being able to represent your state at any level is an honour, and to be involved in the pathway the pioneers of women’s footy have paved for us is a real privilege for me.

"We know taking on SA will be a challenge, but trying to embrace that and use it to really drive us. And getting to do it on a ground like Optus is pretty cool, it’s not every week you get the chance to do that - but I can’t wait to run out, have a look around and take it all in."

Thankful for being back playing

Wright had a lot of time to think about and get ready for the 2024 WAFLW season after her wrist injury last year, but it's made her appreciate being back out there playing even more now.

"Yeh 100%, after spending so long on the sidelines a massive focus for me this year coming into this year has really been to enjoy the game for what it is and appreciating the opportunity I have to be able to run onto the ground each week," she said.

"Having the most fun within the 80 minutes of the game and during training throughout the week."

Coming back into standout Claremont team

It's quite the strong Claremont team that Wright is coming into this year as well. After the Tigers won the premiership in 2022, they went through undefeated in 2023 before the heartbreaking grand final loss to East Fremantle.

The Tigers then started 2024 undefeated before a slip up against Swan Districts this past weekend leading into the State game break with Wright more than thankful for the strong team she's been able to break back into, and be part of.

"It’s pretty awesome and I'm very fortunate to be a part of this team and a club like Claremont," Wright said.

"Our club culture and the professionalism within the environment really allows everyone to get the most out of each other as people off the field and teammates on the field.

"And that really connects us as a group that are just so comfortable around each other. Being able to have fun every time I walk into the club no matter the result on the weekend and also play a really exciting brand of footy is the best part."

Embracing having leaders as teammates

Every WAFLW team right now is full of exciting teenage talent and Claremont is no different, but for Wright she is thriving at the Tigers by having such strong, experienced leaders to play alongside and learn off.

She has no doubt her development is only being fast tracked from being able to call the likes of Adele Arnup, Emily Bonser, Kate Orme and Jayme Harken, among others, as teammates.

"It’s really special to be able to be around those leaders like Adele, Jayme, Emily and Kate Orme who have been in the game for so long," Wright said.

"Playing alongside them is awesome, I’m quite happy on this side of the fence and not having to come up against them. They really are role models that you take note of how they approach things and the way they carry themselves.

"The on field learnings are so valuable, like recently I’ve found myself playing some more midfield time which is a role I wasn’t overly familiar with in the past, and Jayme the has been able to guide me through that experience - she’s always talking to me on the field telling me where to go and how I should be positioned, taking me aside at training to run through some learning points.

"And Kate Orme has been a massive figure for me the last couple years to be able to look up to with her voice and leadership. Even just the small things I can learn off them make those improvements to my game I wouldn’t have been able to make otherwise."

Coming back and playing so well

Wright might be modest about her own form so far this season and the impact she has had on Claremont sitting on top of the ladder heading into the State game break, but she is thankful for the support of her teammates and coaching staff for making things so seamless for her.

"I wouldn’t say I’ve been having a big impact yet, definitely still working my way into playing some strong, consistent footy," she said.

"But seeing my improvement within my specific goals I’ve set for myself each week has been really rewarding. I like to think being really versatile is one of my strengths, and something i addressed at the start of the year with a few of my coaches, as something I wanted help with.

"Not just being able to play wherever I am needed but being confident and comfortable within those positions. Especially coming into my draft year that’s been a big part of what I want to be able to show this year."

Potential of AFLW future

Wright has long been thought of as a young player with an AFLW future and there's every chance for her to get drafted later this year, but right now with her Year 12 studies, the WAFLW season with Claremont and now the State game, there's plenty of other things to focus on.

"The draft is always sitting in the background of your mind," Wright said.

"When growing up all you wanted to do was to get the opportunity to play footy at the highest level, and the time starts to come around that you’ve got the chance to get yourself there it’s pretty daunting.

"But I don’t let it get to me, I'm well aware I’ve got a long way to go and lots to prove to be able to get there. So my focus is doing what I can week to week and day to day, ticking off the small goals that might lead me to my bigger goal.

"I'm also balancing footy with year 12 this year, whilst is very stressful but also forces me to focus on school being my biggest priority this year."