Port Adelaide AFL player Robbie Gray has partnered with SA Health as a Men’s Health Ambassador

PORT Adelaide star Robbie Gray has urged men to not drop the ball on their health and man up for a health check.

Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray visits Oncology Day Centre patient and Power fan Terry Harbutt at the Royal Adelaide Hospital to raise awareness about men's health. Picture CALUM ROBERTSON

• Parenthood perfect tonic for Gray after cancer diagnosis
• Gray appeal fails
• Wines lets football do the talking
• Maturity helps Power flick switch

HE stared down testicular cancer to become a doting father with a “changed” life perspective but Robbie Gray concedes hitting 30 sharpened his premiership envy.

Gray is thankful for every day with 16-week-old son Aston and wife Annabel but covets the euphoria of a Holy Grail in a 12th AFL season.

“Every year that goes on you sought of look on with jealousy at the end of the season and it has been no different the last couple of years,” said Gray, who figured in Port’s 2007 grand final loss against Geelong to end his debut campaign under Mark Williams.

“I suppose towards the end of your career you get a bit more jealous. We were pretty happy with how we bounced back last season after a pretty average couple of years. To get back in finals…we want to take it further this year.”

Gray was diagnosed with testicular cancer last September and feels blessed just to be back masterminding Port’s tilt at a second AFL flag.

Dual All-Australian Gray was successfully treated due to early diagnosis by Port medicos.

“I suppose after what I went through last year, if I could get something positive out it is to get some awareness, help other men get on these health problems a bit earlier,” said Gray, who made his comeback in Sunday’s upset road win against Sydney at the SCG.

“From one bloke to another, if something doesn’t feel quite right, go talk to your GP early, it might just save your life.”

Gray noticed a special feeling among a group bolstered by Tom Rockliff, Steve Motlop, Jack Watts and Dom Barry upon resuming training at Alberton in late November.

Robbie Gray on the move against Sydney. Picture: Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The addition of recruits who addressed Port’s 2017 Achilles - poor finishing inside 50 - has Gray endorsing a side with the best flexibility in his journey at Alberton.

Carrying a 2-0 start to the season into Saturday’s clash with Brisbane at Adelaide Oval points to a season which could provide triple John Cahill Medallist Gray with his best shot at a flag.

“We are really confident in what those guys can give us,” Gray told The Advertiser.

“There’s a lot of guys who are flexible and play multiple positions and I think we have seen with Western Bulldogs and Richmond winning the last two flags that you need be able to play multiple positions and we have brought guys in who can do that.

“There is a lot of belief, we feel like we have brought guys into the club that can help us and everyone has seen in the first two games what those guys bring. We know it is a long season.”

Gray’s 2018 return was delayed after being suspended for a bump on West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern in the JLT series. Gray said he was frustrated by a one-match ban given he felt no option but to brace for impact but got back in the groove against the Swans.

“Being suspended it wasn’t ideal but I suppose we dealt with the verdict and had to move on,” said Gray, impressed by Port’s 10 goals to four second half against Sydney in a major affirmation of its premiership credentials.

“You train all summer looking forward to round one so I was just happy to get out there against Sydney,” said Gray who turned 30 on March 30.

Rockliff is the Port recruit who is yet to sizzle after recovering from a knee injury but Gray expects to be forming an imposing forward/midfield tandem with the former Lions skipper.

“I think he is just easing into things and we know the quality of player he is,” said Gray.