EMMA Wright spent years shooting for goals but she is better regarded for trying to stop them.
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The Camperdown goal keeper, who had a long history of playing in attack as a junior and early in her senior career, is happy to remain in defence.
“I do prefer defence, there is less pressure,” she said.
“I think I’m a better defender. I wasn’t that accurate (as a shooter).”
The 31-year-old plays her 350th club game, including her 219th in A grade on Saturday when the Magpies host Terang Mortlake at Leura Oval.
Wright started her career with the club as a 13-year-old in the 15 and unders in 1996 — the year she made her A grade debut.
The following year when she was runner-up in the 15 and under best and fairest she played at both ends of the court.
When she graduated to senior netball, a lack of goalies meant she played in attack. But in the last game of the 2009 season, then coach Leah Sinnott experimented with her in defence.
The following season towering goal shooter Narelle Welsh joined the Magpies, making the return to defence permanent. Wright blossomed, winning the club’s best and fairest in 2010 and 2011 and she was third in the league best and fairest in 2011. Wright is hoping she and the Magpies finish on a high after their finals bid was derailed by South Warrnambool last week.
“We want to go out on a good note,” she said.
“We want to end the season with a win.
“It’s a bit disappointing some of the games didn’t go our way (earlier in the season), the draw with Port Fairy.”
It’s the first year since 2009 the Magpies have not played finals but that won’t stop Wright and her teammates chasing another win. Wright said she was nearing full fitness again after suffering a chipped bone in her foot when a high-heel-wearing teammate accidentally stood on her foot on the dance floor at a club function. She was forced to wear a moon boot and missed two matches.
Saturday’s milestone snuck up on Wright. “I wasn’t aware of it,” she said.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au