“It’s pretty full on but I’m very happy here at Port Adelaide and want to finish my career at Port,’’ says star playmaker Robbie Gray.
Star veteran Robbie Gray – linked to Melbourne clubs in the recent AFL trade period – says he wants to finish his career at Port Adelaide.
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Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray has rubbished reports that he wanted out at the end of the season and declared he wants to finish his career with the Power.
Two weeks after his name was continually brought up during the AFL trade period, Gray – one of the Power’s greatest players – said he never had any intention of leaving the club that took a punt on him at the 2006 draft.
“I didn’t get any offers made to me or speak to any other clubs,’’ the 31-year-old Victorian playmaker said.
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“It’s an interesting time of the year, the trade period, and we’re seeing more and more names getting thrown out there and a lot more players moving clubs.
“It’s pretty full on but I’m very happy here at Port Adelaide and want to finish my career at Port.
“I’ve been here a long time now and am driving hard to be successful and play in a flag.’’
It had been reported that multiple Melbourne clubs, including Hawthorn, had inquired about small forward/midfielder Gray, who turns 32 in March, and qualifies for unrestricted free agency next year.
The Hawks already have three former Power players on their list – star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne, ace small forward Chad Wingard and dashing defender Jarman Impey.
Gray battled injuries last season, including a broken hand, but still kicked 24 goals and averaged 22 disposals in 19 games.
Taken at pick 55 at the 2006 national draft, he is a triple best-and-fairest winner and four-time All-Australian (2014-15 and 2017-18).
The supposed strong interest in the veteran, who has kicked 318 goals in 218 games, means he is certain to have options as a free agent if he remains unsigned through next year.
But he said he had unfinished business at Alberton.
Heading into his 14th AFL season, Gray is yet to play in a premiership team.
The closest he came was playing in the heartbreaking 2014 preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.
But Gray believes that he and some of his veteran Power teammates, including former skipper Travis Boak and key utility Justin Westhoff, can still taste premiership glory.
“I’m really confident that my body is going to hold up well, that I’ll still be able to contribute next season and I’ve got an amazing amount of confidence in our group,’’ Gray said.
“While we didn’t play finals this year, we’ve still got a really strong core here and think we’ve got a good mix of senior and younger players.’’
Port co-captain Tom Jonas, meanwhile, reiterated that he wants the club to stick with dual skippers for its 150th year next season.
The Power controversially appointed co-captains this year, with defender Jonas joined by midfielder Ollie Wines.
The move upset some former players and fans.
“It should be dual captains again,’’ he said.
“Obviously we didn’t get a great opportunity to display it last year with Ollie’s injuries and I missed a month, but I think given another opportunity we’ll be much improved.’’
Gray, who has battled cancer, and Jonas have thrown their support behind men's health month through the Movember fundraising campaign.
Gray will try to raise money through The Fellow Barber Shop where part proceeds from every moustache and beard service will go to the cause while Jonas’s wine company, Hey Diddle, will donate $5 from every bottle of a limited Sangiovese release, featuring a mental health themed logo by artist Luke Day, to men’s health.