Robbie Gray | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Robert Gray | ||
Date of birth | 30 March 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Victoria | ||
Original team(s) | East Burwood (Eastern Football League) - Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup) | ||
Draft | #55, 2006 National Draft | ||
Height / weight | 183 cm / 87 kg | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Port Adelaide | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
2007– | Port Adelaide | 155 (211) | |
International team honours | |||
Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
2011– | Australia | 3 (3) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2016.
2 State and international statistics correct as of 2014.
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Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Robert "Robbie" Gray (born 30 March 1988) is an Australian rules footballer currently contracted to the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
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.
Subsequently, Gray was picked by Port Adelaide in the 2006 draft who used their fourth pick, becoming the 55th pick overall.
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." 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.