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Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 4:15 pm
by Booney
Bum Crack wrote:
The Bedge wrote:
Lightning McQueen wrote:Would love to land a Dunkley, De Goey or a Grundy though, I've been happy enough with Finlayson and Big Chuck having a dip in the ruck but would rather see us with a traditional ruckman.

If Port recruited an established ruck, what would that mean for Hayes? Surely would push him out given the impact Teakle has made

I would be very happy if Hayes was traded to Geelong. I rate him and believe he will become a very good player.


He plays like Goldstein does, like the old school tap ruckman not the modern day Grudy, Naitanui and co. I think he'll play a bit of football at AFL level but he's got lots of things to improve upon yet. At SANFL level he's not taken a game and made it his own as he should have at times.

He's contracted for next year so it'll be interesting with him, Lycett and Dixon all out of contract at the end of 2023.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:11 am
by Booney
Robbie Gray - Pick 55 2006 National draft

263* games 363* goals

3× John Cahill Medal (2014, 2015, 2016)
2× Port Adelaide leading goalkicker (2011, 2018)
Representative

3x games for Australia
4× All-Australian team (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Honours

AFLCA Champion player of the year (2014)
5x Showdown Medal (2010, 2015, 2018x2, 2019)
AFL Rising Star nominee (2007)
AFL Player Ratings team of the decade (2010s)

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:18 am
by am Bays
So he's pulling* the pin this week??

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:22 am
by Booney
Presser at 10:30 this morning.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:55 am
by Bum Crack
Booney wrote:Presser at 10:30 this morning.

Been an absolute champion and it is the right decision. Hasn't been a shadow of himself this year. I suspect Joel Selwood will do the same at year's end.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:05 am
by Brodlach
As much as I hate Port I have great admiration for Robbie

Had the pleasure of speaking to him after his knee reconstruction before playing a trial for Westies. He then played a half and came over and sat with us in the outer for the last quarter. My son was blown away.

Have a great retirement Robbie.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:25 am
by Booney
PORT ADELAIDE forward Robbie Gray has announced his retirement from the AFL bringing an end to an outstanding career.

One of the club’s most decorated players, Gray has played 270 games and booted 365 goals across a glittering 16-year career.

A three-time John Cahill Medal winner as the club’s best and fairest, Gray is also a four-time All-Australian, twice led the club’s goalkicking and took home the 2014 AFL Coaches’ Association Player of the Year award.

After winning a record five Showdown Medals, it is fitting that his final game will come against the Crows in Showdown LII on Saturday night.

The 34-year-old told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday morning.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the journey with this club,” Gray said. “I’ve got some amazing friends and memories that I’ll take with me forever, but it’s time for others to get their chance now.

“I want to thank my teammates, my coaches and all the volunteers and support staff that have been there along the way for me.”

Coach Ken Hinkley described Gray as an all-time great of the club and the AFL.

“I said last week that in my opinion Rob has been the greatest player at our football club in the AFL era and I stick by that. His record demands that kind of recognition,” Hinkley said.

“I have never seen anyone who can make our great game look so simple, and do such difficult things with such ease.

“We have been able to count on him to deliver in the big moments and he has won so many awards and accolades, yet he remains the most humble, team-first player who focusses so much attention on making others around him better.

“He has played such a valuable role in helping develop our younger players in recent years and we’re starting to see that pay dividends.

“It’s a mark of his talent and extraordinary impact that many others have been described as the next Robbie Gray but I think it is fair to say there will never be another Robbie Gray.”

Gray will depart the competition having played the fourth-most games at AFL level for the club and ranked second on the club’s all-time goalkickers list in the AFL behind Warren Tredrea.

Renowned for his uncanny skills and match-winning goalkicking, Gray was drafted with pick 55 in the 2006 AFL National Draft.

He made his debut alongside fellow draftee Justin Westhoff in Round 10, 2007 and won his first leading goalkicker award in 2011 before suffering a ruptured ACL the following season.

Gray returned in 2013 but it was perhaps in 2014 that the competition saw his best, and he won the first of his three consecutive best and fairest awards to go with the competition’s MVP award as voted by the coaches.

He was awarded club life membership in 2016 and remarkably, after overcoming cancer a year later, he finished as the club’s 2018 leading goalkicker, as well as winning both Showdown Medals that year and a fourth All-Australian blazer.

A persistent knee injury has limited Gray to 15 games this year but he will have a chance to farewell the Port Adelaide faithful with one more against the Crows on Saturday night.

AFL Honours

- All Australian selection (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
- AFLCA Player of the Year (2014)
- AFL Player Ratings Team of the Decade (2010s)
- International Rules (2011, 2014, 2015)
- Rising Star nominee (Round 12, 2007)

Club Honours

- John Cahill Medal (2014, 2015, 2016)
- Leading goalkicker (2011, 2018)
- Showdown Medal (2010, 2015, 2018 x2, 2019)
- Life Member (2016)
- Coaches’ Award (2009)

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:27 am
by MW
One of the smartest footballers I've seen. All the best Robert.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:33 am
by Dutchy
Perhaps went on one season too long, but he deserved to make that call, well done Robbie - was never happy when the ball was in your area.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:04 pm
by saintal
Put a dagger through St Kilda hearts on a few occasions. A very fine player who had a few hurdles to overcome.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:12 pm
by whufc
Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:48 pm
by Rik E Boy
Booney wrote:Robbie Gray - Pick 55 2006 National draft

263* games 363* goals

3× John Cahill Medal (2014, 2015, 2016)
2× Port Adelaide leading goalkicker (2011, 2018)
Representative

3x games for Australia
4× All-Australian team (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Honours

AFLCA Champion player of the year (2014)
5x Showdown Medal (2010, 2015, 2018x2, 2019)
AFL Rising Star nominee (2007)
AFL Player Ratings team of the decade (2010s)


Yeah that's a fair resume. One of the best Porties I've seen.

regards,

REB

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:54 pm
by The Bedge
whufc wrote:Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.

Ingle Farm Div 7 in 2023. :lol:

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:57 pm
by JK
Always sad when a special player calls time and Robbie is definitely one of those. Been a privilege to watch him over so many years.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:14 pm
by tigerpie
Proved his worth in big pressure games, showdowns especially.

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:18 pm
by UK Fan
whufc wrote:Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.



Gray will be entering player management After his AFL career I believe.

Great player who I assume will go down as the greatest pick 55 in the draft ever

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:26 pm
by Brodlach
UK Fan wrote:
whufc wrote:Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.



Gray will be entering player management After his AFL career I believe.

Great player who I assume will go down as the greatest pick 55 in the draft ever


He brought people through the gates ;)

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:27 pm
by MW
UK Fan wrote:
whufc wrote:Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.



Gray will be entering player management After his AFL career I believe.

Great player who I assume will go down as the greatest pick 55 in the draft ever


Darren Jarman says hi :lol:

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:27 pm
by valleys07
UK Fan wrote:
whufc wrote:Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.



Gray will be entering player management After his AFL career I believe.

Great player who I assume will go down as the greatest pick 55 in the draft ever


Recruiting no longer an option?

Re: Port Adelaide 2022

PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:35 pm
by Lightning McQueen
MW wrote:
UK Fan wrote:
whufc wrote:Great player and came across as a great person...

Surely his football smarts will be used in a coaching capacity somewhere at sometime.



Gray will be entering player management After his AFL career I believe.

Great player who I assume will go down as the greatest pick 55 in the draft ever


Darren Jarman says hi :lol:

Fair debate there.