Robbie Gray Biography

Robbie Gray will return to Port Adelaide two months after retiring to begin a role in the club's list management and recruitment team.

"I've always been interested in recruiting and list management so I'm really grateful to get the opportunity to move into that space," Gray said in a club statement.

"I'm excited about having the chance to work with Jason, Geoff and the team to help add to the exciting talent we already have at the club."

Port Adelaide champion Robbie Gray bows out a winner after the Power defeated the Crows in Showdown 52, closing their season with a 56-point win.

Robbie Gray will play his final match this weekend against Adelaide.

"You get to this sort of age and the issues I have had physically with my body, I knew it was the right time - as hard as it is to make the call and admit to yourself that it is the time," Gray said.

The 34-year-old will finish his decorated career as second on the club's all-time goalkicking list behind Warren Tredrea and having played the fourth-most AFL games for the Power - he has 365 goals from 270 games.

Robbie Gray will undergo surgery and is expected to miss the next eight weeks after tearing the medial ligament in his left knee.

Port football manager Chris Davies says he has "no doubt" the forward will be at the club in 2022, regardless of whether he hits a contract clause related to playing a certain number of games in 2021.

"Robbie's start of the year has been sufficiently good to suggest he should be around for next year," Davies told reporters in Adelaide.

"In fairness to both Robbie and the club, there was never any doubt that whatever happens ... would be a mutual decision."

Robbie Gray boots a goal after the final siren to give Port Adelaide a three-point win over Carlton.

Gray marked the ball hard up against the right boundary line just as the siren sounded and calmly kicked a goal from 45m out.

Robbie Gray breaks a toe after dropping weights equipment on his foot, but is expected to be available for the resumption of the 2020 home and away season.

Robbie Gray signs a one-year contract extension with Port Adelaide to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"It's a nice feeling to sign another contract extension," Gray said.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity Port Adelaide has given me, and to extend my time here for another year is great for me and my family."

Robbie Gray says he is committed to finishing his outstanding career with the Power despite speculation Melbourne-based clubs had made approaches.

"I didn't get any offers made to me or speak to any other clubs. I'm very happy here at Port Adelaide going into year number 14," Gray said.

"I've been here a long time now and still driving hard to try to be successful and play in a flag. I'm confident the body's going to hold up well and I'll still be able to contribute."

Robbie Gray will be sidelined for a month with a broken hand that will require surgery, sustained in the first quarter of the Power's win over North Melbourne.

Despite the break, the 31-year-old saw out the remainder of the match, finishing with 18 disposals and six marks.

Power veterans Travis Boak and Robbie Gray quietly re-sign with Port Adelaide to play on in 2020.

Robbie Gray says a season-ending knee injury 2012 sparked his interest in spotting talent and claims credit for the Power's recruiting of Zak Butters who will make his AFL debut this week.

Butters caught Gray's eye last year with his performances for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup and for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

"I was a Zak Butters fan … he's got some tricks," Gray said.

"I've done a little bit of work with (Port's national recruiting manager) Geoff Parker and those boys and watched a little bit of vision in the lead-up to the draft because it's a bit of an interest and maybe something I'll look into after footy.

"He (Butters) is a great kid, really humble as well, so I'm really happy for him."

Robbie Gray takes part in a certificate in list management run by AFL SportsReady and the AFL Coaches Association.

Robbie Gray is booked in for knee surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of pre-season training in November.

Ryan Nyhuis is handed a three-game ban by the AFL Tribunal for his dangerous tackle that concussed Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray.

Nyhuis pleaded guilty to the charge, completely accepting match review officer Michael Christian's grading of the incident as careless conduct with severe impact to the head.

"It was never my intention to hurt Robbie," Nyhuis said afterwards.

"I went and made sure I apologised to him post-game and I sincerely made sure he was OK."

Ryan Nyhuis is sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for his dangerous tackle that concussed Port Adelaide superstar Robbie Gray on Sunday.

Nyhuis dumped Gray in a tackle after the Power midfielder had been dispossessed of the ball and was propelled over the boundary line, slamming his head into the Optus Stadium turf.

Gray was forced from the field on a stretcher early in the third quarter, having been knocked unconscious as a result of the tackle, and took no further part in the match.

"The fact that he drove Gray into the ground in a vulnerable position with excessive force … it's pretty conclusive that it did sit quite comfortably within the dangerous tackle guidelines," Match Review Officer Michael Christian said.

Robbie Gray is stretchered off the ground after being knocked out following a dangerous tackle from Docker Ryan Nyhuis.

Gray gathered a loose ball on the half-forward flank and attempted to evade Nyhuis, who wrapped up his opponent and slung him head-first into the ground.

Gray didn't stir until minutes after medical staff had tended to him. His neck was eventually placed in a brace before he was lifted onto a stretcher and taken into the change rooms.

Robbie Gray will miss the Power's 2018 round one clash against Fremantle after the Tribunal chose not to accept his argument he was bracing for contact when he collided with West Coast's Jeremy McGovern.

Gray's case was thrown out after an hour-long hearing, leaving the star midfielder to serve a one-match suspension and the Power to pay a $10,000 fine under its football department soft cap.

Robbie Gray is set to miss the Power's opening-round clash against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval after being slapped with a one-match suspension for rough conduct.

Gray was charged by match review officer Michael Christian for his high bump on West Coast's Jeremy McGovern during the JLT Community Series, with the hit graded as careless conduct with medium impact to the head.

Robbie Gray returns to training with the Power after making a successful recovery from testicular cancer.

"He was covering the ground really well and he was a little bit the same as me; he'll be building up to Christmas and after Christmas he'll probably be back into full training," teammate Tom Rockliff said.

"He's in really good spirits."

Robbie Gray undergoes post-season surgery to remove testicular cancer and is set for precautionary chemotherapy treatment.

"Robbie's health and wellbeing is, as always, the most important thing to us," Port Adelaide general manager of football Chris Davies said.

"We are thankful the surgery went as well as it could have.

"The treatment isn’t expected to interfere with Robbie's ability to begin pre-season training in November."

Tom Stewart's defensive efforts on Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray earns him praise from Cats coach Chris Scott.

Scott described Stewart, a South Barwon product who played well for Geelong's VFL in 2016, as a "local boy made good".

"He has got a lot of talent so I don't want to underrate that but I don't think he was that committed to a future in footy as an 18 or 19 year old," Scott said.

"As soon as he decided it was what he wanted to do, he has committed himself really well."

Power assistant coach Aaron Greaves disagrees with Hamish Hartlett that Robbie Gray will be rested during the season due to a groin complaint.

"He's probably been managed over pre-season a little bit, like other players around his age and with his medical history, but Robbie's in a really good spot at the moment," Greaves said.

"He'll play this week. Barring any injuries going forward, I don't see a time when he wouldn't play a game."

Getting confused as the brother of Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray doesn't bother namesake Sam Gray.

"lt's always a bit of a laugh because I usually get asked once or twice a week," Sam said.

"I've told people before that we're not, but they keep thinking that we are.

"I just go along with it. It's a real compliment.

"Robbie's one of the best players in the AFL, so if people think I move like him, I'm going to take it."

Robbie Gray becomes the first Power player to win three-straight best and fairest awards after taking out the 2016 John Cahill Medal.

Gray finished on 230 votes ahead of Ollie Wines (206) and Jasper Pittard (190).

Robbie Gray is set to miss the next three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Port midfield manager Michael Voss told 5AA that Gray injured his hamstring during a training session on Wednesday night.

Robbie Gray is on his last chance with the Match Review Panel as he prepares to walk a tightrope and remain eligible for the Brownlow Medal this season.

Gray accepted a $1500 fine for rough conduct, after putting down Geelong defender Tom Ruggles behind play with an intentional hit to the body.

Robbie Gray, initially contracted with Port Adelaide until the end of 2018, has extended his contract with the club until the end of 2019.

"I know how lucky I am to be part of Port Adelaide, so to be a one-club player at this great club would be sensational," Gray said.

"It was only a few seasons ago when I injured my knee that I wondered how I'd come back – or if I'd make it back – so to see the club where it is and to have my body sound is really pleasing.

"I just want to keep working as hard as I can with this great group of players to see how far we can go."

Robbie Gray has again been crowned Port Adelaide's best and fairest, winning his second straight John Cahill Medal in a close count from star forward Chad Wingard.

Gray's back-to-back win makes him just the third multiple winner of the award after both Kane Cornes and Warren Tredrea claimed four wins during their respective careers.

The 27-year-old averaged 26 possessions a match in 2015, booted 25 goals and ended the year second in the AFL for average goal assists.

Gray finished on 243 votes – 13 ahead of Wingard who lost the lead in the closing rounds.

Largely unheralded defender Jack Hombsch was recognised for his best season, rounding out the top three, while skipper Travis Boak finished in fourth place.

Robbie Gray will be one of six AFL Players flying to take part in an innovative Gatorade testing program to improve player hydration.

Joining Gray will be Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall, Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer, Geelong defender Harry Taylor, West Coast's best and fairest winner Andrew Gaff and Power assistant coach Matthew Nicks.

The Match Review Panel should have penalised Jay Schulz's sling tackle on Ted Richards in the same way it did Bryce Gibbs' tackle on Robbie Gray, AFL football operations manager Mark Evans says.

Evans met with MRP members on Monday to discuss the guidelines relating to rough tackles, when he instructed them that when (a) a player's arms were pinned in a tackle and (b) he was taken to ground with force they had to be "far more protective" of the player's head.

Evans told reporters on Monday evening the MRP decision to clear Schulz's tackle had erroneously focused on the differences between it and Gibbs' round 12 tackle that attracted a two-week penalty for rough conduct.

Upon releasing its verdict, the MRP said of Schulz's round 14 tackle: "The tackle was undertaken in one continuous motion, with no secondary action."

On Monday, Evans conceded it was a wrong decision.

"It's caused us a deal of concern on reflection over the last week. While last week I accepted the MRP's determination on some of the differences particularly between the Gibbs tackle and the Schulz tackle, I don't think we've processed that one correctly," Evans said.

"What we should have focused on was the fact that Ted Richards' arms were pinned, he was in a very vulnerable position and he was taken to ground with some force.

"We think that on reflection he should have been charged with rough conduct very similar to the way that Gibbs was charged.

"I've instructed the MRP today that we should have taken greater consideration to where a player's arms have been pinned and he's been rotated towards the ground the way that [Schulz] was ? we need to be far more protective of players' heads."

Bryce Gibbs accepts a two-game suspension from the Match Review Panel for his driving tackle on Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray.

Gibbs pinned Gray's arms to his body as he followed through with the tackle, leading to the Power star's head slamming into the MCG turf.

Gray was taken from the field on a stretcher and substituted out of the game shortly after the incident.

Despite the ban, Power forward Chad Wingard says he does not take issue with Gibbs' tackle on his teammate.

"All the star players you try and rough up and tackle to the ground as hard as you can," Wingard said.

"It's just unlucky he had his arms pinned and couldn't really brace himself."

Christian Petracca says Robbie Gray has been a great support to him as he recovers from a torn arterior cruciate ligament.

In the hours after his injury, Petracca received a text message from Gray who urged the teenager to remain positive despite the fact he was going to miss the rest of the season with the serious knee injury.

"I've been through the same thing before as Christian, and copping such a big injury at such an early age was devastating for him," Gray said.

"I told him to stay nice and positive. 12 months is a long time out of the game, but I told him to follow his rehab really strictly and tick all the boxes."

Robbie Gray is ranked by his fellow players as the tenth best in the AFL.

Travis Boak will again lead the Power in 2015 with Matthew Lobbe and Brad Ebert serving as vice-captains.

Angus Monfries and Robbie Gray have been replaced in the leadership by Ollie Wines.

Tom Jonas, Jackson Trengove and Hamish Hartlett will round out Port Adelaide's leadership group for the year.

Robbie Gray signs a three-year contract extension with Port Adelaide that will keep him at the club until the end of 2018.

"I think this will take me through until I'm about 30 and that will be 12 years at the footy club and [I] definitely see myself as a one-club player," Gray said.

"I've got some really good friends here and coaches as well and I'm really settled here in Adelaide.

"A few years there we weren't going so well so I've really enjoyed the last couple of years and playing some finals footy.

"I'm looking forward to doing some more of that in the future."

Robbie Gray has become outright favourite with the bookies to win the Brownlow Medal in 2014 at $6 after opening at $501.

Power coach Ken Hinkley has tipped his star midfielder Robbie Gray to win the Brownlow Medal.

"Robbie has just had an unbelievable year," Hinkley said.

"If people who are controlling the game have got good vision … we'll see probably an interesting result Monday night, because he was clearly the best player in the competition this year."

Robbie Gray has joined elite company by taking out 2014's AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year title.

"Individual awards are nice but the reason you play footy is for that ultimate team success," Gray said.

"[The award] probably something you don't really think about too much – we're just really focused on what we want to achieve this year still."

Matthew Lobbe says Power teammate Robbie Gray is a strong chance to win the Brownlow Medal this year.

"If I could bet, I'd put it on Robbie for sure," Lobbe said.

"As a ruckman, it's great because you can put him somewhere and you know he's going to read it, whether you win the hit or whether they win the hit.

"He's just so clean inside."

Robbie Gray has endured a tough run with injuries but will play in his 100th game this week against Melbourne.

"It's a great honour to play 100 games for this great footy club. It's taken a little while to get there I suppose but happy it's here and very happy to get my name on the locker," Gray said.

"I've had my ups and downs through my career through injury and that sort of thing. [But the club has] been great to me so I'm really looking forward to Saturday."

Robbie Gray says he's keen to remain at Port Adelaide as the club continues its rise.

"[I'm] very keen to stick around, good times are ahead at the club and I think we're going in the right direction," Gray said.

"A lot of us have been here a long time together and gone thorough some pretty low times.

"Things are starting to turn now and I definitely want to be a part of that."

Paul Chapman will miss the Cats' preliminary final against Hawthorn after accepting a one-match ban for a high bump on Robbie Gray.

Chapman risked a two-week suspension if he took the case to the AFL Tribunal and lost, which would have ruled him out of Grand Final contention should the Cats beat Hawthorn.

"They have their rules and I suppose I broke them, but, you know, is the game getting softer?" Chapman asked after pleading guilty.

"These are the questions you sort of have to ask. It is what it is, you can't change it and we'll go in and talk about it now."

Robbie Gray says he now has full confidence in his reconstructed knee after getting through his comeback on the weekend against Gold Coast.

"I didn't think about [the knee] too much when I was out there – I played in the SANFL for five weeks before that so I feel really confident in the knee," Gray said.

"I'll have ongoing rehab to complete…but I don't think about it when I'm out on the park playing or training - I'm back 100 per cent now so [I'm] just looking forward to getting my fitness up and hopefully contributing."

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has declared Robbie Gray ready for an AFL return after his recovery from a horror knee injury.

"Robbie's ready, there's no doubt that Robbie's absolutely ready to go at AFL level,'' Hinkley said.

"He had 24 or 25 possessions (against Glenelg) and kicked three goals but the main thing is that Robbie looks really confident.''

As he recovers from a knee reconstruction, Robbie Gray is elevated into the Power's leadership group for the first time in 2013, joining Hamish Hartlett, Jay Schulz, Jackson Trengove, vice-captain Brad Ebert and skipper Travis Boak.

"When you can't help the guys out on the field you want to maybe help out some of the younger guys and that's something I tried to do a bit last year obviously not being able to play," Gray said.

"Nothing will really change for me though, I'm still focusing on getting my body right and being back and just helping the team improving this year."

Paul Stewart re-signs with the Power for two years and says he expects teammate Travis Boak to do the same.

"I'm confident he'll stay, we're good mates and I'd be pretty upset if he left," Stewart said.

"Me, Robbie Gray and Cam O'Shea and him formed a real good bond so I think that plays a big role in it. Also his relationship with the coaches … he gets along with every single one of the coaches.

"Hopefully he makes his decision soon and puts the club at ease."

Robbie Gray signs a contract extension but says it has nothing to do with his recent knee reconstruction.

"My manager and (Power football operations manager) Peter Rohde have been in talks for quite a while now and it was probably always going to come around this time," Gray said.

"It's good to get it done now and I can just get on with my rehab. To have the club's support has been fantastic."

Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray has confirmed he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo a traditional knee reconstruction rather than the LARS procedure.

"If he has a normal reconstruction he will be ready to start pre-season and ready to start in round one next year. But it has a bit to do with his age as well," Port Adelaide general manager of football operations Peter Rohde said.

Robbie Gray has appeared to suffer a serious leg injury in the final minute of Port Adelaide's 24-point loss to Collingwood and the club is preparing for the worst.

"Yeah, look, not good news," Power coach Matthew Primus said.

"Robbie's obviously a very important player of our future, but he'll find his way back, and we'll miss his presence this year."

Robbie Gray is set to play his first game in 2012 against the Swans after overcoming a hamstring injury.

"Robbie's a pretty big part of our team, he's obviously a superstar for us … and we're looking forward to him playing his first game of the year," teammate Justin Westhoff said.

"That releases a few guys from the midfield to go forward so it's a big inclusion for us."

Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray says he will spend more time in the midfield in 2012 after a strong pre-season.

"I've been working on my running, as everyone else has, but that's probably been the main focus for me," he said.

"I'll be playing forward as well, but coming up the ground a bit more. To be able to play every game last year and then complete a full pre-season, I'm confident heading into the year."

Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray is hoping for a change of luck on the injury front after having his best-preseason to date.

"It's the most training I've managed to do in a pre-season, so I guess it's good from that point of view," he said.

"I've had a good pre-season so I'm pretty confident heading into the season -but I say that every pre-season. I'm doing everything I can. I'm just praying it all holds up and that I can get through the season."

Port Adelaide fitness coach Cam Falloon says criticism of Robbie Gray's injury prone body is not warranted.

"He hasn't got as bad a body as everyone thinks," Falloon said.

"Robbie did everything we asked of him during the off-season and hasn't missed a beat yet. We'll keep a close eye on him, but he completed 95 per cent off last pre-season, so to be honest he's not on a modified program at all."

Port Adelaide has secured the services of three key youngsters in Robbie Gray, Hamish Hartlett and Paul Stewart, all of whom have signed new deals with the club.

"I'm very settled here in Adelaide and have really enjoyed my first few seasons here at the Power," Gray said.

"We have an exciting young list that is eager to play finals football and I certainly want to be a part of that.

"The club picked me late in the draft and put a lot of time in developing me as a player and I am very thankful of that."

Port Adelaide says forward Robbie Gray is close to re-signing with the club.

"Robbie is a real important player for us going forward," Power coach Mark Williams said.

"His body is improving each year, so we are really confident that he can be a 10- to 12-year player for us. He started in the forward line and now we are really confident he is going to be a major player through the centre square and in the forward line."

Essendon, Carlton and Collingwood are among the Victorian clubs queuing up to speak to out of contract Port Adelaide stars Travis Boak and Robbie Gray while the Gold Coast is also reported to have flagged its interest.

Boak and Gray are housemates, close friends and are also managed by the same company, Stride.

Port Adelaide may be without forwards Daniel Motlop and Robbie Gray until round four as the club takes a cautious approach to their injuries.

Port Adelaide onballer Robbie Gray failed to train with his teammates due to a hamstring complaint on Thursday, ahead of Sunday's season opener against North Melbourne.

"Robbie's in a little bit of doubt and he's probably 50-50 to play," skipper Domenic Cassisi said.

"The injury's not anything serious. He played in the last practice game against Collingwood and there's still three or four days to go until the game so he's still got every chance of playing."

Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray is set to miss a second straight week of NAB Cup action after having his appendix removed.

Port Adelaide's Robert Gray has withdrawn from the Round 21 clash with the Brisbane Lions with appendicitis.