Port Adelaide superstar Robbie Gray says he’s excited by the young players the club have brought in and about the season ahead.
The Power returned from a training camp in Noosa on Wednesday. Speaking on SEN SA Breakfast, Gray said the team’s focus was on connection.
“Last year we really wanted to build our connection a little bit better, become a little bit tighter and closer. We probably just continued on that this year,” he said.
“It’s always good to get away with the group.
“We were able to bond and get to know each other a little better and it was really good.”
Gray pointed out the club’s recent draftees as players who will help drive improvement in 2020 after slotting into the group.
“The young boys have fitted in well and we think we’ve got some players there,” he said.
“They’re keen to learn, keen to work hard and I couldn’t ask any more from them.”
With an interest in entering list management post-career, the four-time All Australian interned with the club’s recruiting staff during the draft period.
Gray said he enjoyed the experience and that today’s young players are better prepared than he was when he entered the AFL.
“I think the young boys come in these days pretty well prepared,” he said.
“I was around in Adelaide over the break, so I was able to catch up with (recruiting manager) Geoff Parker and have a few chats with him.
“I went across for the draft and the guys are really happy with who we picked up. They’re great characters and we think they can really add to our group.”
The three-time club Best and Fairest winner said he’s in better shape than this time last year and the club is primed for a big year.
“I was able to get some really good work in over the off-season and set myself up for that pre-Christmas block,” said Gray.
“We’re all excited about the year ahead and it’s going to be a big year for our footy club.”
Gray kicked 24 goals in 19 games in 2019, winning the Showdown Medal against the Crows in Round 16.
Listen to Robbie Gray on SEN SA Breakfast below