Robbie Gray

Recruited from the Oakleigh Chargers with pick 55 in the 2006 National Draft, Robbie Gray arrived at Port Adelaide as a talented but physically underdeveloped forward whom many recruiters had overlooked. While he showed immediate promise as a crafty goal-sneak, his career trajectory changed significantly after recovering from a significant knee injury sustained in 2012. Upon his return, he transitioned into the midfield, where his elite agility, clean hands at stoppages, and unparalleled evasiveness established him as one of the competition's premier on-ballers. Gray possessed the rare ability to dominate clearances and push forward to impact the scoreboard, often delivering clutch performances in high-stakes matches, particularly in Showdowns where he was a perennial standout.

Despite facing significant health challenges, including a testicular cancer diagnosis following the 2017 season, Gray remained a consistent and elite performer throughout the majority of his tenure at Alberton. He captured three John Cahill Medals as the club's best and fairest, earned four All-Australian blazers, and was named the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2014. By the time he retired in 2022, he was widely regarded as arguably the greatest player in Port Adelaide's AFL history, celebrated not just for his statistical output but for his football IQ and poise under pressure.