Robert Gray (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Robbie" Gray is an Australian rules football
er 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).
, 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.
Subsequently, Gray was picked by Port Adelaide in the 2006 draft
who used their fourth pick, becoming the 55th pick overall.
, 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." Soft tissue injuries have restricted Gray to forward roles, though he is hoping to play more of a midfield role in the future. He also signed a new contract for Port Adelaide, which will keep him at the club until 2010. 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. 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
. 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.
He finished the 2011 season
on 32 goals, making him the leading goal kicker, a goal ahead of Jay Schultz.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er currently contracted to the Port Adelaide Power in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). He also plays for West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SANFL).
Getting drafted
Gray impressed in 2006 with TAC Cup club Oakleigh ChargersOakleigh Chargers
The Oakleigh Chargers are an Australian rules football club playing in the TAC Cup, an under-18 competition in Victoria, Australia. They are based at Warrawee Park in Oakleigh, Victoria, representing the southeastern suburban area of Melbourne...
, kicking 56 goals. He also played for Victoria Metro's under 18 side, in a team composed of fellow AFL draftees Bachar Houli
Bachar Houli
Bachar Houli is an Australian rules footballer for Richmond in the Australian Football League . Houli plays as a midfielder. He is the first devout Muslim to play in the AFL.- Early career :...
, Matthew Kreuzer
Matthew Kreuzer
Matthew Kreuzer is an Australian rules footballer for the Carlton Football Club. He was selected with the first pick overall in the 2007 AFL National Draft....
, Tom Hawkins
Tom Hawkins (footballer)
Thomas "Tom" Jack Hawkins is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League...
and David MacKay
David Mackay (footballer)
David Mackay is an Australian rules footballer. He was drafted by the Adelaide Football Club at pick number 48 in the 2006 AFL Draft and has been given Guernsey number 14. He came from Melbourne side, Oakleigh Chargers and appeared in the 2006 Victorian U/18 Metro side where he was inspirational...
. 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.
Subsequently, Gray was picked by Port Adelaide in the 2006 draft
2006 AFL Draft
The 2006 AFL Draft is a recent national draft of the Australian Football League. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League....
who used their fourth pick, becoming the 55th pick overall.
AFL career
After showing strong form in the SANFL with West AdelaideWest Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
, Gray was given his AFL debut, along with fellow draftee Justin Westhoff
Justin Westhoff
Justin Westhoff is a footballer currently playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the AFL. He also plays for Central District in the SANFL...
. 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
AFL Rising Star award
The NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
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
McG
Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer....
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." Soft tissue injuries have restricted Gray to forward roles, though he is hoping to play more of a midfield role in the future. He also signed a new contract for Port Adelaide, which will keep him at the club until 2010. 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. 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
John Cahill Medal
The John Cahill Medal, named after Port Adelaide Power's inaugural AFL coach John Cahill, is awarded to the Best and Fairest player every season for the Port Adelaide Football Club.-Recipients:-Multiple Recipients:...
. Gray kicked 30 goals in 2009, as well as 23 goal assists - top 6 in the AFL. He also received 6 Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
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
Showdown Medal
The Showdown Medal is the medal awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Showdown AFL match between Adelaide and Port Adelaide. It is thus similar to the Ross Glendinning Medal awarded in Western Derby games....
for a five goal effort against Adelaide.
He finished the 2011 season
2011 AFL season
The 2011 Australian Football League season was the 115th season of the Australian rules football competition. It was the debut year for , and was scheduled to be the only season to be played with 17 teams...
on 32 goals, making him the leading goal kicker, a goal ahead of Jay Schultz.
Career highlights
- AFL Rising Star Nomination Round 12 2007
- 2009 PAFC Most Improved Player
- 2010 Round 6 Showdown MedalShowdown MedalThe Showdown Medal is the medal awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Showdown AFL match between Adelaide and Port Adelaide. It is thus similar to the Ross Glendinning Medal awarded in Western Derby games....
- 2011 PAFC Leading Goal Kicker