“I haven't been going that well,’’ admits injured Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray

Injured Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray has vowed to use his month on the sidelines to “freshen up’’ and return in better form, admitting he wasn’t happy with his early-season performances.

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Injured Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray has vowed to use his month on the sidelines to “freshen up’’ and return in better form, admitting he wasn’t happy with his early-season performances.

The four-times All-Australian and triple club champion averaged 20 disposals but kicked just six goals in the opening six rounds before breaking his hand against North Melbourne last week.

Brilliant forward/midfielder Gray said he had struggled to have his usual impact on games and would try to freshen up physically and mentally in his time out of the game.

“I haven’t been going that well,’’ he said.

“I’m not sure why, it’s probably a combination of a few things but I definitely wasn’t in the form I would have liked before the injury.

“So it’s probably a good time to freshen up, take a little bit of time out and hopefully get the body in really good shape.’’

Gray, 31, played his 200th game in round one and has been battling a sore knee and shoulder.

He said his surgery — to repair two broken bones in his right hand after it was stepped on by Kangaroo Ben Cunnington in the first quarter of Port’s 16-point win at Adelaide Oval — had been successful.

“It all went to plan and the recovery time will be about a month,’’ said Gray, who courageously played out the game .

“Because it’s a hand I can still get in a lot of running and keep my fitness up.’’

Gray will miss the Power’s blockbuster clashes against Collingwood on Friday night and Showdown 46 against Adelaide in round eight, along with the round nine and 10 games against Gold Coast and Hawthorn.

He hopes to be fit for the round 11 match against St Kilda in China.

Gray said despite his early season struggles he had enjoyed his football “as much as ever’’ because of the emergence of young players Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursman, Zak Butters and Willem Drew, who he said had brought great energy to the team.

“They’ve been unbelievable,’’ he told SEN.

“We talk about the kids every week but they have just been so good for the group.

“The team is in a really good space at the moment, 4-2 with a couple of massive games coming up for us.’’

Gray will fly to Melbourne with the Port squad for good mate Travis Boak’s 250th game against the Magpies.

“You wouldn’t normally go on an away trip when you’re injured but I couldn’t miss this one,’’ he said.

“I definitely want to be there for Travis and to see the boys put in a big performance.’’

Gray said there were similarities between this year’s Power team and the young one he first joined in 2007 which made it to the grand final before being thrashed by Geelong.

“There are a few similarities, although it’s still only early this season,’’ he said.

“Back then we had a pretty young group and not many people expected us to do too much and we ended up making the grand final.

“Hopefully we can do something similar this year.’’