With a 6-5 win-loss record and the return of key players from injury, the Power is primed for a big second half, says Robbie Gray
With some key players — including co-captain Ollie Wines and vice-captain Hamish Hartlett — set to return, the Power has set itself up nicely for the second of the season, says Robbie Gray.
Port Adelaide
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Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray has warned the club’s rivals that its best football is in front of it and that is well placed to “really attack’’ the second half of the season.
With key players Ollie Wines and Charlie Dixon poised to resume from serious injuries in the SANFL against Sturt at Alberton Oval on Saturday and vice-captain Hamish Hartlett continuing to build up his match fitness, Gray said the club’s playing stocks were about to gain a timely boost — a year after it struggled in the back end of the year.
“Last year we started well and tired as the year wore on but I think with the senior guys coming back now it should stand us in really good stead this season,’’ he said as the Power enters its bye round with a healthy 6-5 win-loss record.
“The guys put a strong performance on the board against St Kilda last week (winning by 70 points in China) and we think we’ve put ourselves in a good position to attack the second half of the year.
“We’re pretty happy with where we’re sitting but know we’ve got a big month ahead of us.’’
Gray, who has been holidaying in Byron Bay after returning from China, said the return of co-captain Wines from a broken ankle, key forward Dixon from the best part of a year out with a broken leg and Hartlett from a knee reconstruction and then a series of hamstring injuries would boost the team significantly for the run home.
Veteran midfielder/forward Brad Ebert could also resume next week after missing four matches with serious concussion symptoms.
“Given the players we’ve had out and are now hoping to get back in we’re pretty happy with our position,’’ Gray told SEN SA.
“We’ve given ourselves a good chance to set ourselves up but we know we’ve got a big month of footy coming up after the bye.’’
Port plays surprise packet Fremantle in Perth on June 15 followed by four consecutive home games against Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Adelaide and Brisbane when it gets the chance to set up its season.
The Power was well placed at 11-4 last season before losing six of its last seven matches and missing the finals.
Gray said there was a lot of “unknown’’ about Port this year after it traded away key men Chad Wingard (to Hawthorn) and Jared Polec (North Melbourne) but that the young players brought into the club, most notably first round draft picks Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma, had performed beyond expectations.
Key recruits Scott Lycett (from West Coast) and Ryan Burton (Hawthorn) also have performed strongly.
“The young guys have been outstanding and played great footy for first-year players,’’ Gray said.
“With their continued improvement — and we’re still working towards playing our best football with them — and the return of senior guys it puts us in a strong position to build on in the second half of the year.’’
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