Robbie Gray
| Robbie Gray | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Robbie Gray at training in 2007 |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Robert Gray | ||
| Date of birth | 30 March 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Victoria | ||
| Original team | Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | #55, 2006 National Draft, Port Adelaide | ||
| Height/Weight | 183cm / 87kg | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder / Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Port Adelaide | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2007– | Port Adelaide | 68 (102) | |
| International team honours | |||
| Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
| 2011 | Australia | 0 | |
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1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .
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| Career highlights | |||
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Robert "Robbie" Gray (born 30 March 1988) is an Australian rules footballer currently contracted to the Port Adelaide Power in the Australian Football League (AFL). He also plays for West Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
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[edit] Getting drafted
Gray impressed in 2006 with TAC Cup club Oakleigh Chargers, kicking 56 goals. He also played for Victoria Metro's under 18 side, in a team composed of fellow AFL draftees Bachar Houli, Matthew Kreuzer, Tom Hawkins and David MacKay. Despite this, Gray was not seen as a fancied draft option, due to his unfashionable style of play. His chances took a hit when he missed a draft camp due to injury. He did however, attract interest from Port Adelaide after impressing their recruiters. Head recruiter at the time, Mick Moylan was impressed with his off field discipline, with Gray maintaining an 8 and a half hour job.[1]
Subsequently, Gray was picked by Port Adelaide in the 2006 draft who used their fourth pick, becoming the 55th pick overall.
[edit] AFL career
After showing strong form in the SANFL with West Adelaide, Gray was given his AFL debut, along with fellow draftee Justin Westhoff. Gray contributed with 13 disposals and 4 marks and 2 behinds. In Round 12 of the 2007 Season, he kicked 4 goals in a match against Essendon, in which Port Adelaide won by 31 points. He received the round 12 AFL Rising Star nomination for his efforts.
During these games Robbie Gray consolidated his place in the Power line up until a calf injury relapse against the Richmond Tigers at the MCG kept Gray out.
Gray started the 2008 pre season strongly, suggesting he was over chronic soft tissue injuries and ready to have a larger impact. Fellow team-mate Brett Ebert said "Robbie's great. He's stronger and fitter than ever before and we saw last year just how clever he is in front of goals. Robbie's worked hard over the summer and if he can stay fit, I think he'll be in for a big year.[2]" Soft tissue injuries have restricted Gray to forward roles, though he is hoping to play more of a midfield role in the future.[3] He also signed a new contract for Port Adelaide, which will keep him at the club until 2010.[4] Gray missed the start of the season through injury and only received his first senior game for the year in round 7, after showing good form for West Adelaide. Gray played all matches until round 14, before injuring his ankle at training, with his best performance being a 20 possession and 12 mark game against Hawthorn. He also impressed in Ports hefty Round 16 loss to Geelong after being moved into the midfield. He returned for two matches late in the 2008 season and played a pivotal role in Port Adelaide's surprise defeat of North Melbourne, by scoring 3 goals.
Gray had an outstanding year for Port Adelaide, despite the club having a difficult year. He was Port's most valuable player according to an AFL poll, proving he is a fan favourite.[5] He was also rated by the clubs staff, who awarded him the 2009 most improved award, to go with his 4th placing in the John Cahill Medal.[6] Gray kicked 30 goals in 2009, as well as 23 goal assists - top 6 in the AFL. He also received 6 Brownlow Medal votes, despite never polling previously. His standout performance of the year was against Hawthorn, where he kicked 4 goals in a tight win to the Power, earning 3 Brownlow votes for his efforts.
In Round 6 2010, Gray won the Showdown Medal for a five goal effort against Adelaide.[7]
He finished the 2011 season on 32 goals, making him the leading goal kicker, a goal ahead of Jay Schultz.
In Round 4, 2012, Gray hyper extended his knee in the dying seconds of the game against Collingwood. It was said to be one of the most sickening footy injuries of all time.
[edit] Career highlights
- AFL Rising Star Nomination Round 12 2007
- 2009 PAFC Most Improved Player
- 2010 Round 6 Showdown Medal
- 2011 PAFC Leading Goal Kicker
[edit] External links
- Robbie Gray's profile on the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club
- Robbie Gray's statistics from AFL Tables
[edit] References
- ^ Capel, Andrew (2008-05-29), "Meat packer now cutting up rivals", The Advertiser, http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23780498-5016212,00.html, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ , http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=55205, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ , http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/newsid/65610/default.aspx, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ , http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/28/11732_geelong_sports.html, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ , http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/86036/default.aspx, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ , http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/tabid/6038/default.aspx?newsid=85810, retrieved 2009-12-12
- ^ Port piles misery on Crows
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