ADELAIDE'S Matthew Wright has plenty of competition for the small forward role he likes to play but made the most of his opportunity against Greater Western Sydney with 23 touches and a goal.

The 179cm Wright is in competition with Ian Callinan, Jared Petrenko and Jason Porplyzia, all under 180cm, for that lively small forward role in  Adelaide's line-up and confessed his work was cut out for him to get ahead of such quality players.

Wright has had to bide his time this season before getting his first official game under Brenton Sanderson against the Giants, but rather than approach playing for North Adelaide in the SANFL as a punishment, Wright saw it as an opportunity.

"There's no point moping around, you've just got to embrace what you can and just take it on," he said.

"You can only control what's put in front of you.

"I'm very fortunate that I was a North Adelaide boy growing up, so when I'm not in the ones at the Crows, it's a good opportunity to go back and play for North and play footy with some mates that I've grown up with."

Since being selected in the 2010 Rookie Draft, Wright has played 19 senior games with the Crows.

Wright said experiencing football at a level where players have to find other ways to make ends meet was a great reminder of just how lucky he was to make his living from playing the game he loves.

"In a way the SANFL guys have it a lot tougher than us, they're working nine-to-five jobs then going straight out to training three nights a week and then their weekends are taken up by footy as well," he said.

"It puts things into perspective and it teaches you not to take anything for granted.

"We're pretty fortunate to be in the positions we're in, especially to be at a good footy club like the Adelaide footy club."

But while playing with his mates in the SANFL keeps his feet planted firmly on the ground, Wright didn't deny he'd prefer to be running around with the Crows.

He admitted it was upsetting to be left out of the side until last Saturday's clash against the Giants, but said the team's performance, not his, was what truly mattered. 

"I missed out on the first three weeks and, as disappointing as it was, it was good to see blokes like 'Lynchy' (Tom Lynch) coming in and playing his first game for the club," he said.

"You've got to take your opportunities whenever they arise, but I'm not going to go away from the team things.

"That's what 'Sando" (Brenton Sanderson), 'Campo' (Scott Camporeale) and 'Bicks' (Mark Bickley) and all the other coaches want to see from blokes coming in."

Wright stood up when it mattered last Saturday; a 23-disposal return was highlighted by a brilliant tackle and free kick close to goal, which he calmly converted in slippery conditions.

With another test this weekend against Port Adelaide in Showdown XXXII, he had some words of caution for his teammates.

"You can't afford to play anything less than four quarters of footy against quality sides, or any side these days," Wright said.

"You'll get nutted before you know it."

Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.