AFL Round 3 power rankings: Why Sam Gray’s value is rising at Alberton

IT seems those outside of Port Adelaide are catching on to the abilities of Sam Gray as the Power surge to the top of the ladder and maintain their spot at the peak of our power rankings.

Sam Gray of Port Adelaide celebrates a goal on Saturday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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IF SAM Gray is not the most underrated player on Port Adelaide’s list then he is certainly one of the most underrated across the league, but those outside of Alberton are catching on.

You cannot teach footy smarts, courage and class, and Gray might be small, but he has all three — which makes him a perfect role player in a Power forward line that on the whole plays pretty tall.

Fox Footy’s commentators were gushing over him during Saturday’s closer-than-you’d-like win over Brisbane Lions which maintained the Power’s unbeaten start to the season.

He finished with 21 disposals, nine marks, three goals on the scoreboard and 10 score involvements.

Sam Gray of Port Adelaide celebrates a goal with captain Travis Boak during the round three AFL match against Brisbane on Saturday. Picture Mark Brake/Getty Images

The Power needed a spark in the third quarter and Gray answered the call.

He backed into oncoming traffic under the flight of the ball, got up and made two more efforts to stop it from coming out.

He also kicked a brilliant snapping goal and that blind turn around Cedric Cox on the wing led to Brad Ebert’s goal to give Port Adelaide the edge going into the final term.

The knock, if anything, on Gray has been his finishing but he’s getting better, and so far this year he’s kicked 4.2 in three games.

That was on the back of 28.28 in a breakout 2017.

So is he underrated?

“Certainly, but not internally. We love and respect what he does — week-in, week-out he keeps doing those things,” Port midfielder Brad Ebert said.

“Running up the ground, getting in the back 50 to help out the defenders and then he’s the first one back in the forward line. His workrate and even his finishing has been really good so far, so we love having him in the side and he’s just one of those players you want to play with.”

Brad Ebert fends off Luke Hodge. Picture: Sarah Reed

The Power won’t be pleased with how it played on Saturday but will take the win and move on after two tough wins against Fremantle and Sydney.

“To be 3-0, obviously Saturday wasn’t our greatest performance but to Brisbane’s credit they’re a young and exciting side and playing some good footy,” Ebert said.

The Lions might have been a relatively soft opponent but given GWS lost to Sydney and Hawthorn stumbled against the Tigers, Port Adelaide remains on top of The Advertiser’s Power Rankings as the only undefeated side in the competition.

Having strung two wins together including against the reigning premier Richmond and under the roof at Etihad, the Crows are a big mover this week, while the struggling Saints are the big slider.

ROUND 3 POWER RANKINGS

1. PORT ADELAIDE (3-0)

The Power has only started the season 3-0 once in Ken Hinkley’s reign, in 2013 which was his first year in charge. Steven Motlop is looking better with every week in a Port guernsey.

2. HAWTHORN (2-1)

Fell back to earth after yesterday’s loss to Richmond which had they won, would have put them on top of the rankings. A six-goal final quarter and another 42 disposals to Tom Mitchell rescued an otherwise disappointing loss.

3. SYDNEY (2-1)

Hit back hard as many expected after last week’s loss to Port. Buddy unstoppable in the final term and SA boy Will Hayward getting better with every game he plays alongside the superstar.

4. ADELAIDE (2-1)

Gritty performance from the Crows which hasn’t always been their trademark. To be 2-1 considering the pressure they faced going into the season and the mountain of injuries is a very good result.

5. GWS (2-1)

The Giants were still in the game late against the Swans but couldn’t close the gap — or more to the point, couldn’t contain Buddy Franklin in the final quarter.

6. RICHMOND (2-1)

Good response to last week’s loss to Adelaide by rolling the Hawks who were coming in hot. As usual it was a steadying goal from Jack Riewoldt against the flow that got them home.

7. WEST COAST (2-1)

Conceded six goals to Geelong in the third quarter then kicked six unanswered in the last and Dom Sheed what a star. Unbelievable finish.

8. MELBOURNE (2-1)

Finally broke the North Melbourne hoodoo after 17 straight losses and liked what I saw from Jesse Hogan getting 26 disposals working up the ground and four goals to villain turned hero Tom Bugg.

9. GOLD COAST (2-1)

More good signs for the Suns despite going down to Fremantle in Perth which is no disgrace. May have won that game had they been able to play at home.

Gary Ablett of the Cats leaves the field with a hamstring injury in Perth on Sunday. Picture: Will RussellAFL Media

10. GEELONG (1-2)

Kane Cornes made a very good point when he said if Max Gawn had of kicked straight things would be very ugly at Geelong right now. And Ablett icing his hamstring doesn’t help.

11. FREMANTLE (2-1)

Solid win against the improving Suns but simply had to win that one. Nat Fyfe 38 touches and 14 clearances back to his Brownlow Medal form.

12. ESSENDON (1-2)

How quickly those memories of that win over Adelaide have evaporated after losses to Fremantle and the Bulldogs.

13. COLLINGWOOD (1-2)

The good news story was Josh Thomas’ five goals and the lucky escape was Steele Sidebottom for his tackle on Fisher.

14. N. MELBOURNE (1-2)

Inconsistency is to be expected from the Kangaroos but Ben Brown is not and that’s 10 goals in the past two weeks from the key forward.

15. W. BULLDOGS (1-2)

After 82 and 51 point losses to start the season, the Dogs finally responded to mounting pressure with a spirited win.

16. BRISBANE (0-3)

The Lions showed fight to lead the Power at halftime but the next step in their evolution is to go on with those starts.

17. ST KILDA (1-2)

No response to the Good Friday disaster and wayward kicking against the Crows didn’t help.

18. CARLTON (0-3)

Still winless and their big improvers last year — Liam Jones, Caleb Marchbank and Jacob Weitering are really struggling.

How special is this?! ❤️ Eddie sharing the great news of his two beautiful healthy girls with his teammates 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/vy5XFqwzXT

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) April 8, 2018

GOOD WEEKEND FOR ...

Eddie Betts. The birth of his twins aside, the drums were beating with regard to his form and the pre-season camp but he responded with 16 disposals and three goals on Saturday night.

ONE TO FORGET FOR ...

Carlton. Collingwood was vulnerable on Friday night but the Blues are still winless and a loss to North Melbourne this week will make things very interesting.

BURNING QUESTION

Is Port Adelaide comfortable losing hit-outs 55-22 and clearances 41-33 and only just falling in against Brisbane? Will take the win but will we see a ruckman this week?