Gray areas of brilliance
How Port star can be matchwinner
HE is ‘ Mr Showdown’, with five medals from matches against fierce rivals Adelaide, a modern day great for Port Adelaide.
So what can we expect from Power star Robbie Gray as Ken Hinkley’s side looks to navigate next week’s preliminary final and secure a Grand Final spot?
Here’s just five examples when the fourtime All Australian and three-time John Cahill medallist has made the difference for the Power in his sensation al career.
Rd 7 2020 v Carlton :1 goal ,16 disposals ,4 marks
Let’ s start with the most recent.
By his own lofty standards Gray had not done a lot in the first six games of 2020, and even in this game wasn’ t dominant.
But there’ s areas on why Gray is such a superstar and he showed it with a nice-cool kick from the pocket with a drop punt most players in the competition could only dream of kicking after the sir en to win the game.
Rd 8 2018 v Adelaide :6 goals ,20 disposals ,5 marks
Steven Motlop kicked the game-winner with 21 seconds to go in one of the most thrilling Show downs ever, but it was Gray who was the difference and then some between the Power and Crow sin an enthralling contest.
Eight months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Gray booted six goals, five in the third quarter, to drag Port back into the match after going 27 points down in the second in one of the great Show down displays.
Rd 9 2017 v St Kilda :1 goal ,27 disposals ,5 marks
Paddy Ryder set it up with an amazing bit of tap work in the ruck, but who better to be on the receiving end of it and streaming into the 50 marc to kick the winner with seconds togo?
After sneaking a gap on Seb Ross, Gray gathers Ryder’s tap over his head on the run, making it look like a training drill, and away he goes. The kick clears the Saints defence on the goal line by millimetres to seal a thrilling victory for the Power.
Semi-final 2014 v Fremantle: 4 goals, 21 disposals, 2 marks
Down 31 points during the first half in the first semi-final, Port Adelaide needed a spark and Gray delivered.
From 47 seconds into the 32nd minute Gray kicked four goals in the third quarter as Port turned a 31- point deficit into a lead during the vital period.
Rd 6 2010 v Adelaide :5 goals ,20 disposals ,5 marks
The first of G ray’ s five Show down Medals, this game showed the star Gray would become.
Against the fierce rivals he finished with five goals, five marks and 20 disposals as Port Adelaide turned around trailing at the end of the first three quarters to win by 23 points.