#46 Sam Gray

[Ford Fairlane]

Height: 176 cm

Weight: 76 kg

Date of Birth: 1st February 1992

Nickname: Frodo

Twitter Handle: Sam_gray46

Position: Midfielder / Small Forward

Recruited From: Port Adelaide Magpies (Pick 29 in the 2013 Rookie Draft)

Career Games (to end of 2015): 17 (12 wins, 5 losses)

Career Goals (to end of 2015): 10

Honours:

• 2017 PAFC Coaches Award (Most Improved)

More info on Sam Gray

Sam was the surprise packet of 2015. After playing a handful of AFL games off the rookie list in 2014 and making a minor impression as a small forward, he began 2015 again on the rookie list with low expectations and the consensus that he was a gun midfielder at SANFL level but not quite up to the grade at AFL level. He was again promoted to the senior list early in the season and played 4 games as a small forward without making too many waves before being dropped back to the Magpies for the middle part of the year. Nobody would have expected what happened when he returned to the AFL team in round 18. With the season over and a number of injuries to the midfield, Sam was given the chance to test his mettle in the middle of the park. He began putting together a solid portfolio of work before his form exploded over the final weeks of the season, averaging 35 disposals and collecting 5 Brownlow votes in the last three games. Sam’s reward is a spot on the senior list for 2016 and expectations of a much brighter future at AFL level than had been the case 12 months ago.

Highlight Reel:

 

[Ford Fairlane]

From Adelaide Now, Saturday 5 July 2014

Sam Gray defies scouts and tape measure

WHAT do you do when every AFL recruiting scout typecasts you as “too small” for the big league?
Sam Gray stretched the tape measure to 176cm when he first nominated for the AFL national draft pool in 2010.
He was overlooked for being “too small”. He was still 176cm in 2011 — and overlooked again.

Sam Gray defies scouts and tape measure

 

[Ralph Lorenz]

After watching 3 of Sam's games from this past season recently, I've noticed a familiar pattern, ultimately ailing his game.
His rate of going for a ball with a potential to score or assist and then falling over whilst in the attempt is almost 1:1.
I don't recall the same issue at SANFL level so I'm sure iit's not his boots.
If he can keep his feet next year, he might find the ball and be able to have cleaner disposal but he'll need to make a decent impact if given an opportunity otherwise the depth will leave him behind.
So in conclusion, Sam, keep your feet.

 

[Triple E]

As Sam's buddy, my first act is to bump this thread with a link to a toast thread of his regarding his awesome form in the last couple of weeks of the season. http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/sam-frodo-gray.1108512/

 

[Forzaport]

Originally posted by Macca19

8th. – 109 Votes

#46 SAM GRAY

SANFL Stats:

Games: 10

Disposals: 25

Marks: 3

Goals: 6


VOTES:

BigFooty: 109 (8th)

Port: 101 (13th)

Toots: 36 (6th)


AFL Stats:
http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Sam_Gray1.html

Notes:
Review by TeeKray
Sam was the surprise packet of 2015. After playing a handful of AFL games off the rookie list in 2014 and making a minor impression as a small forward, he began 2015 again on the rookie list with low expectations and the consensus that he was a gun midfielder at SANFL level but not quite up to the grade at AFL level. He was again promoted to the senior list early in the season and played 4 games as a small forward without making too many waves before being dropped back to the Magpies for the middle part of the year. Nobody would have expected what happened when he returned to the AFL team in round 18. With the season over and a number of injuries to the midfield, Sam was given the chance to test his mettle in the middle of the park. He began putting together a solid portfolio of work before his form exploded over the final weeks of the season, averaging 35 disposals and collecting 5 Brownlow votes in the last three games. Sam’s reward is a spot on the senior list for 2016 and expectations of a much brighter future at AFL level than had been the case 12 months ago.

 

[Powerstufff]

Just some housekeeping, probably deserves some entries on his site every 18 months or so.

Sam Gray interview - 8 June 2017 - PTV

 

[Daniel Flynn]

Anybody else remember that brisbane game

 

[Power Raid]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-26/five-talking-points-port-adelaide-v-gold-coast

4. The other shade of Gray
Say 'Gray' and 'Port Adelaide' in the same sentence and most people think Robbie. That Gray might have played himself into his third All Australian guernsey after a dynamic season as a forward-midfielder. But Sam Gray has been the feelgood story at Port this season. The diminutive forward kicked six goals in a spectacular effort against the Suns to cap a breakout 2017. Gray was the definition of a fringe player at the start of the season, having played 34 games in his first three seasons. However, he has played every game this year, averaging almost 18 disposals and more than a goal a game. Those are not fringe numbers and he is now an important cog in the Power wheel. Gray grew up in the shadows of Alberton Oval and spent years running around with the Port Adelaide Magpies before earning a rookie spot, after finishing runner-up in the 2013 Magarey Medal. The Power fan favourite may play an important role come September.