Robbie Gray believes addition of Brendon Lade can help Port Adelaide play finals

TRIPLE John Cahill Medallist Robbie Gray has singled out a coaching addition as a key weapon in Port Adelaide’s tilt at the finals in 2017.

Robbie Gray has won three straight Port Adelaide best-and-fairests.

TRIPLE John Cahill Medallist Robbie Gray has singled out new assistant coach and former champion Brendon Lade as a sharp edge in the Power’s tilt at the finals in 2017.

The 2004 premiership player and 2007 grand finalist has been working with both the forward line and the ruck division and has also brought invaluable outside intelligence from his time as an assistant coach with Richmond.

Lade has previously been mentioned as a potential future senior coach because of the football smarts he developed through coaching and an outstanding playing career with the Power over 13 years from joining the inaugural squad in 1997 to 2009.

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As a player, he was an old-fashioned ruckman who had a peerless partnership with Shaun Burgoyne and played as a forward with a raking and accurate kick.

Gray, who was a teammate of Lade’s in the early part of his career, couldn’t speak more highly of his influence over summer.

“Ladey’s been super,” Gray said. “I played with him when I first came to the club and it’s great to have him back.

Port Adelaide coaches Darren Burgess, Brendon Lade and Chad Cornes. Picture: Sarah Reed

“He’s got a really smart footy mind and has been working with our forwards and I’ve done a bit of work with him down there.

“He’s certainly got some different ideas, obviously having been at another footy club for four or five years.

“He’s been working with our rucks as well and obviously being a champion ruckman himself when he was playing he’s got a lot of knowledge he can pass on to our players.

“I know our guys have really appreciated working with him, both the ruckmen and the forwards, and it’s been great to have him back at the club.”

Gray is expected to continue to play both in the midfield and forward this season with the expectation that he spends a little bit more in attack than he did last season.

He singled out improved leadership as a key area in which he wanted to improve this year, both by giving direction on the field and advice off it.

Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard at training. Picture: Sarah Reed

As he finishes his 11th pre-season, it is an area in which he is growing each year and coach Ken Hinkley expects more from him.

Gray’s focus on leadership has led to him looking at the game in a different, more analytic way.

“I’m trying to help the group improve as much as I can,” Gray said. “I’m trying to provide a bit more leadership around the place.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to concentrate on ... trying to pass on the knowledge I might have and help the younger boys along, both the midfielders and the forward line.

“If I can help the younger guys improve that will help the club move forward.

“So you think of things a bit more about the game.”