Joining Sydney as a delisted free agent after six seasons with Port Adelaide, Sam Gray will be hoping to emulate his career-best form of 2016 where he averaged 21 touches and six tackles. He managed to increase his possession and tackle stats in 2019, although still a way off his peak. The big differential came between wins and losses, averaging 85 and 65 respectively. Gray's selection in round one isn't guaranteed as a host of fringe players will be fighting for the small attacking positions. Don't forget that he's slowly working his way back to full fitness from shoulder surgery. A watchlist candidate who looms as a smokey capable of the occasional ton should he snare the regular starting berth and push up into a high half forward role.
Gray swaps teal for blood
Joining Sydney as a delisted free agent after six seasons with Port Adelaide, Sam Gray will be hoping to emulate his career-best form of 2016 where he averaged 21 touches and six tackles. He managed to increase his possession and tackle stats in 2019, although still a way off his peak. The big differential came between wins and losses, averaging 85 and 65 respectively. Gray's selection in round one isn't guaranteed as a host of fringe players will be fighting for the small attacking positions. Don't forget that he's slowly working his way back to full fitness from shoulder surgery. A watchlist candidate who looms as a smokey capable of the occasional ton should he snare the regular starting berth and push up into a high half forward role.
Gray washed out
Like many of his Power teammates Sam Gray had a poor second half of the 2018 season, in his case losing 19 fantasy points per game. His woes started before the absence of Patrick Ryder, however, as he posted one score above 80 after round 6. He had an arthroscope in the post season to correct a long-running ankle problem that was evidently the cause of his woes. At his best, Gray is a solid low-end starter in a position where you have to expect some variability. The Power don't have many other options in the small forward area of their list post the departure of Chad Wingard, so he will be a part of their best 22 if he gets through preseason. Don't expect too much out of him, but he should be on someone's roster with a late pick.
Piebald pattern for Gray
There were no SANFL excursions for Sam Gray in 2017, unlike the previous year, but he ended up with slightly worse basic numbers as his role swung wildly from inside to outside. He started most often on a HFF, with his disposal ratio going from 10:12 to 11:7 with his contested rate down ten points to 30%, and he added a goal and a mark inside 50 per game. Gray effectively reinvented himself as the poor man's Toby Greene, which is not a bad thing to be and will present a strong argument towards justifying his spot in the 22 in the face of a raft of players coming in from other clubs. Then again, the Power got rid of four others who had been challenging from the list last year. Assuming he doesn't get knocked off in the JLT, he's a middle-rounder.
