Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has revealed where he thinks Robbie Gray sits among Port Adelaide’s greatest players.
Gray was phenomenal in the Power’s come from behind win against rivals Adelaide on Saturday, booting six goals, with five of them coming in a stunning third term blitz.
When asked where the three-time All-Australian ranks amongst Port’s best, the 2004 premiership player has him right up there.
“I’ve got him in third right now,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“I’ve got Warren Tredrea at number one and Gavin Wanganeen at number two, albeit a lot of Gavin’s great work was done at Essendon.
“Gray’s coming: three best and fairests in a row and he’s probably tracking to win another one this year.”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the 30-year-old who suffered a major injury bow early in 2012 when he required a full knee reconstruction that threatened to impede his career.
According to Cornes, that setback was the turning point in Gray’s career in order for him to fulfil his potential.
“It wasn’t just your ACL injury - it was a horrific one,” he said.
“He had nerve damage in his calf and I remember the next pre-season his calf had just wasted away and he didn’t even have moment in his little toes because of the nerve damage.
“The work he did to get back from that knee injury was unbelievable.
“I think that turned his career around because he was a player with natural ability who was from the country who carried a bit of extra weight and didn’t have a big engine.
“But that knee injury forced his professionalism to go through the roof.”
Gray was also diagnosed with testicular cancer after the 2017 season, but has since made a recovery and returned to his best form.
Listen to Kane Cornes' chat with Garry and Tim in the player below