GRAY POWER WILL CONTINUE TO FUEL PORT’S TITLE HOPES
THREE-time Port Adelaide best and fairest Robbie Gray has signed on for a 16th season at the Power in 2022.
The four-time All-Australian and five-time Showdown Medallist did not play enough games in 2021 to trigger a new deal for next year.
But the Power and the 33year-old have agreed a new one-year contract for the 255gamer.
Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said Gray played an important role for the club – on and off the field.
“Robbie has been remarkably consistent for a long period of time and he continues to be capable of things that many others aren’t,” he said.
“His experience has proven invaluable in terms of the development of our younger players and we’re pleased to have him remain at the club for another season.”
Ahead of the club’s best and fairest on Thursday night, Gray was one of three Power players to agree new deals.
Riley Bonner has been rewarded for a strong end to the season with a new twoyear deal, while Martin Frederick has agreed to a oneyear contract.
Bonner was the Power’s best player in the preliminary final horror show against the Western Bulldogs while
Frederick played eight games after debuting this year.
“Riley’s back half of the season was particularly strong, culminating in a standout performance in the preliminary final,” Cripps said.
“He has shown an ability to play various roles in 2021 and we expect that versatility to benefit our side going forward.
“Marty worked hard on his game in the pre-season and was rewarded with his AFL debut in Round 6.
“He is an exciting young player with an ability to play in the backline or on the wing and we look forward to his ongoing development.”
Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines will be the hot favourite to add a John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide’s best and fairest to his trophy cabinet.
After a stellar 2021 campaign, in which he became the first ever Power player to win the Brownlow, Wines is also expected claim his inaugural John Cahill Medal on Thursday night.
Awarded to the bestperforming Power AFL player, following each game the panel of senior coach Ken Hinkley, senior assistant Michael Voss, each respective line coach and general manager football Chris Davies cast votes.
Each player’s performance is rated between zero and five, with a maximum of 20 and a minimum of zero votes awarded per player, per game.