Sam’s the man out on edge for Power
HE has gone from living on a prayer to a September dream — playing on the edge is paying off for Sam Gray.
Ignored by talent scouts and snubbed across national drafts, Gray embraced the hard route through the SANFL Magpies to an AFL contract in 2014.
The Cleve kid has figured in every game of Port Adelaide’s return finals march. He is perfectly suited to September, having been told by coach Ken Hinkley to treat each of his 56 games like there was no tomorrow to secure tenure.
“You can’t take it for granted. Western Bulldogs won last year and now they are out. You have to play it like it’s your last final,” said Gray, before tomorrow’s elimination final against West Coast at Adelaide Oval.
“For three years I have been living on the edge and that is how I like playing my footy and what Ken has told me.
“To be back playing finals footy is very exciting for us. We can’t wait to get out there and have a crack.”
Port has improved its forward movement this season to trail Adelaide as the competition’s most potent attack.
Gray has kicked a career-best 26 goals in a move forward, flanking Robbie Gray (47) spearhead and Charlie Dixon (46).
“I worked hard with Brendon Lade and Angus Monfries, so to lock down a forward spot was pretty cool,” he said.
Gray booted six goals against Gold Coast in Round 23.
Robbie Gray will always be the main event at the club, which allows the “other Gray” to thrive.
“I love it. I can fly under the radar and he can have all the attention, all the good defenders and hopefully I will pop down there and kick a few,” said Gray, who slotted a goal of the year contender against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat despite restricted by a severely corked thigh.
“He is Mr Fixit, winning clearances or kicking goals. Robbie is a really good weapon for us to have, one of the best players to watch and I have the best seat.”
West Coast veteran Sam Mitchell is an inspiration for Gray, indeed, anyone, attempting to make it in AFL without the blessing of height and pace but a superior ability to read play.
“I am a big fan of what he can do as he is small as well,” Gray said.
“He is just a great player with his composure, able to kick both feet and make the right decisions.
“I had a chat with him after a game we won against Hawthorn in 2015 at Etihad Stadium before they won the flag and he said it was good to have a couple of small guys getting a go again.”
Mitchell will take four-time premiership nous into tomorrow’s cutthroat final but Gray believes Port has the ammunition to go all the way.
“We have got a home final, so given ourselves a chance to go deep into September,” he said as Port prepared for its first home final since 2014.