After a 16-year AFL career, Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray has announced his retirement from football. Here are the details of his Retirement.
Robbie Gray : News | Retires | Cancer | Contract
Robert “Robbie” Gray is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Gray | ||
| Nickname(s) | Robbie | ||
| Date of birth | 30 March 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 55, 2006 national draft | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / midfielder | ||
He was recruited with the 55th overall selection in the 2006 national draft. Gray is often considered to be amongst Port Adelaide’s greatest ever players.
Gray impressed in 2006 with TAC Cup club Oakleigh Chargers, kicking 56 goals.
He also played for the Victoria Metro’s under 18 side, in a team composed of fellow AFL draftees Bachar Houli, Matthew Kreuzer, Tom Hawkins and David Mackay.
Despite this, Gray was not seen as a fancied draft option, due to his unfashionable style of play.
Robbie Gray news
The 34-year-old won five showdown medals, played 270 games and kicked 365 goals.
Gray will play his final game in the showdown against the Adelaide Crows this Saturday at Adelaide Oval.
“I’ve got some amazing friends and memories that I’ll take with me forever, but it’s time for others to get their chance now,” Gray said.
“You get to this sort of age and with issues I’ve had with my body, I knew it was the right time.
“Certainly it has played on my mind a fair bit, this year has been a struggle.
“I did feel really good coming in the year.
“After I weighed everything up, I felt like this is the right call for me personally and the club.”
Retires
The 34-year-old All Australian and triple club champion told teammates of his decision before Port’s training session on Tuesday.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the journey with this club,” Gray said in a statement.
“I have got some amazing friends and memories that I’ll take with me forever.
“But it’s time for others to get their chance now.”
The 270-gamer will end his AFL career second on the club’s all-time goalkicking list behind Warren Tredrea and having played the fourth-most AFL games for the Power.
He is a three-time John Cahill Medal winner as the club’s best and fairest, a four-time All Australian and has won the Showdown Medal five times.
Cancer
Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray has revealed his tumultuous battle with testicular cancer and the journey he’s made getting back onto the footy field.
Last year Gray had a tumour removed and underwent chemotherapy treatment following a surprise diagnosis. Under 30, with testicular cancer, and with a baby on the way – it was a lot to take in.
The 29-year-old who is now a men’s health ambassador for SA Health said the support he received from fans, the club, friends and family were key to getting him through the difficult time.
“That was the most overwhelming thing – some of those messages from people reaching out,” Gray told The Advertiser.
“From opposition players but also opposition fans – I had Crows supporters telling me they’re an Adelaide supporter but they wished me all the best and that meant a lot to me, that support from the whole public and footy world was amazing.”
Robbie gray Contract
Robbie Gray has agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension which will see him remain at Alberton until at least the end of 2021.
Gray has kicked 318 goals from 218 games since arriving at Alberton in the 2006 National Draft, and says he is excited to extend his time at the club.
“It’s a nice feeling to sign another contract extension,” Gray said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity Port Adelaide has given me, and to extend my time here for another year is great for me and my family.
“We have a young and exciting list, and I’m eager to be a part of that for as long as possible.”