Port District signs Gray brothers, Sam and Tom, to set up promising 2022 Adelaide Footy League campaign

A division one Adelaide Footy League club has continued its successful off-season by signing two star players – one straight out of the AFL – for next year.

Adelaide Footy League division one club Port District looks poised to make a run at finals in 2022 after the marquee signings of the Gray brothers, Sam and Tom.

Sam, who played more than AFL 100 games for Port Adelaide and Sydney, recently returned to South Australia after a season with the Swans.

He landed at the Magpies together with his brother Tom, who has played for Port Adelaide and the Eagles in the SANFL.

Former Port Adelaide Power player Sam Gray has joined Port District in the Adelaide Footy League. Picture Sarah Reed

“When I returned to Adelaide I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew I wanted to continue playing footy,” Gray said.

“When Port District approached Tom and I, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

“Having the chance to play with my brother for the first time since we were at the Magpies in the SANFL is exciting. It’s a great club and I’m looking forward to the season.”

Port District’s signing of the two midfielder-forwards comes only a week after new head coach, Cove great and former West Adelaide assistant Josh Ramsey put pen to paper, signalling an off-season of intent from a club starved of division one success.

Sam believed he and Tom could be the key to taking the club to the top.

Ex-Port Magpies gun Thomas Gray joins his brother at Port District. Picture Sarah Reed

“I’d love to win a flag with the club and I think we have a talented team here and can get that done,” he said.

“I think Tom and I fit in well with the team and can bring some well-rounded experience from the AFL and SANFL level.”

This experience is something sure to excite the club, and head coach Josh Ramsey said it was be something he would look to draw from throughout the season.

“It’s a huge outcome for the footy club and everyone is excited from top to bottom. They’re both great guys,” Ramsey said.

Picture supplied by Port District

“They’re going to bring some great stuff to our leadership group – Sam’s going to bring a lot of experience from the AFL and Tom from the SANFL.

“They both really want to drive standards and professionalism which is great.”

Ramsey also hoped the brothers, namely Sam, could help to drive an even stronger culture at Port.

“Sam hasn’t just come out of the AFL system, he’s come out of that Sydney Swans system and culture,” he said.

“Everyone talks about that ‘Bloods’ culture and Sam’s keen to get involved and help in any way so to be able to pick his brain on what drives that culture will be fantastic.”

The team is set to hit the track for pre-season in December as they prepare to improve on this year’s seventh-place finish.