Port Adelaide has sent big man Robbie Gray out in style with his fourth biggest Showdown win against rivals Adelaide on Saturday night.
Gray clocked his 16-year career this week, but the five-time Showdown Medal winner wound back the clock to score two goals and set up four more.
He had the 50,000+ crowd chanting his name at the end of the game, but unselfishly opted to keep his last shot on goal.
The Power kicked 11 second-half goals to just three to claim a 16.15 (111) to 7.13 (55) victory.
Connor Rozee was named Medalist of the Match for his 34 disposals, five disposals, eight tackles and a goal.
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REPORT OF THE PARTY QUARTER TO QUARTER
Robbie Gray almost got off to a perfect start in his last game as he looked to make a mark inside 50.
When the call came, he stuck his hands out to set up Todd Marshall for the first power play.
But it was Adelaide who brought the heat as they broke power through the middle.
Darcy Fogarty smashed the first before a Jeremy Finlayson brainer gifted the Crows their second moments later.
Finlayson was penalized for holding the ball and then moved to the goal line for dissent.
“There was nothing to it,” said commentator Dermott Brereton.
“It must have been for more than the arms (gesture).”
Rory Laird scored the goal and absolutely gave it to the crowd as his teammates ran to celebrate.
The game became a back-and-forth for the rest of the first quarter, before a late goal from Xavier Duursma put the Power ahead at the first change.
Neither team could establish clear dominance in the second term as the game turned into end-to-end football.
Todd Marshall scored the first of the term before Jordon Butts’ strange decision to kick a three-on-one inside 50 cost the Crows.
The footy rallied easily out of defense with Ollie Wines hitting Robbie Gray for a moment that brought the fans to their feet.
Gray scored the first of the night in his final game as Port raced into a 13-point lead.
But once again Finlayson’s ill-discipline cost the Power a goal.
Fogarty had been tackled inside 50 but his shot save was a foregone conclusion when Finlayson “bobbed” at a referee in the middle of the pitch.
“His discipline has let him down a couple of times,” lamented commentator Brenton Speed.
Fogarty continued to impress as he scored his third for the half, but Jordan Dawson coughed up an off-ball goal when he made high contact with his opponent.
The free kick was awarded to Jed McEntee more than 50 meters from the play, and he made no mistake with his fourth career goal.
“Even if you don’t throw the player to the ground, you can’t touch them above the shoulders on the neck,” said commentator Dermott Brereton.
“Even if there is some form of agitation.”
Port Adelaide came out the hotter of the two teams as the intensity rose once after the main break.
Gray fired his second of the night before assisting McEntee to give the Power their biggest lead of the night.
“Gray paved the way for McEntee to achieve that goal,” praised Pavlich.
“He worked two opponents in traffic. So smart for Gray … they get lost in the mix and McEntee just collects the spoils,” added Brereton.
Gray then set up Karl Amon for Port’s eighth goal of the night as the Power suddenly looked to be in control of the game.
But as Port battled to put the Crows away, with Gray responsible for two of those back four, Charlie Dixon was sidelined after accidentally hitting a knee on the back of his leg in a marking contest.
On the sidelines, Pavlich said Dixon was “clearly in pain” as he headed to the bench.
Up by 28 points at the final change, the Power simply put their foot down in the final term.
They scored seven goals to two to ensure Gray ran out winners in their final game.
There were some concerns in the final quarter with Mitch Georgiades substituted with an ankle injury and fellow tall Jeremy Finlayson limping off with a potentially serious knee injury after a tackle in the center square.
THE 3-2-1…
3. GRAY CLAIMS A POWER CHAMPION
Robbie Gray called time on his 16-year career earlier this week, announcing the Showdown would be his final AFL contest.
In his 271st game, Gray dominated from the start.
Although he didn’t pay a mark inside 50 earlier, Gray stayed involved in the contest and created Todd Marshall’s first.
He had a hand in the goals in the second term before kicking the first of the night to bring the crowd to its feet.
Teammates raced from all over to support Gray in his final game.
In the third term, Gray was showing exactly how much of a loss he will be to Port’s forward line in 2023 as he directed traffic and kicked another goal.
“He still leads by example,” said commentator Matthew Pavlich.
“He can see exactly what is unfolding.
“It’s a great IQ and a great understanding of three or four steps ahead.
“He’s a champion of our game.”
Mark Ricciuto said the crowd loved seeing Gray stand in his final game.
“It’s been great!” he said
“Believe it or not, he’s been goalless in the last four games, which for the best player in the game of all time, this was probably a goal he had to kick.
“The crowd went wild.
“All the Port Adelaide players came up and showed some love for Robbie Gray.”
Fox Footy’s Dermott Brereton said Gray possesses a “100-foot-100 IQ” that could never be missed.
Gray’s career ended with a record five Showdown medals, four Australian jumpers and three club best and fairest.
2. THE RAVENS ARE ATTACKED WITH THE “ACHILLES’ HEEL” OF THE SEASON
Adelaide had the whole run in the first half, but trailed by seven points at half-time.
Fox Footy’s Matthew Pavlich said the Crows’ “Achilles heel” had reared its head again at Adelaide Oval, with a conversion problem.
“You can’t question their effort, they started really well … but as the game went on, just the lack of polish and connection with the forward line which has been a bit of their Achilles heel for all year the Crows,” Pavlich said.
“The kicking efficiency, that’s the main difference right now.”
The problem was highlighted in the second term when Jordon Butts went inside the 50 and threw it on a one-on-three, with all three Port defenders. The ball easily bounced off the defense and ended up in Port’s goal.
“You don’t deserve the ball to stay in your 50 if you make that selection,” Fox Footy’s Dermott Brereton said.
At half-time, the Crows were only 31% efficient inside 50 for the first half.
“They’ve been missing some foot polish,” Brereton said.
“Only through errors of skill and selection, it’s four goals down in the first half, the Adelaide Crows when they go to 50 with errors of foot skill.”
Brereton said it was the “guys who delivered” who needed to step up in 2023.
1. THE EXPOSED PORT RUCK PROBLEM
The Power have been reluctant to go with a recognized ruckman in 2022, instead opting for the Charlie Dixon/Jeremy Finlayson combo later in the year.
But against the Crows on Saturday night, the Power’s ruck woes were exposed when Reilley O’Brien dominated solo.
O’Brien, who is second only to Jarrod Witts in hits for 2022, gave the Crows their first try in the opening quarter.
At the half, the Crows were up 30-16 in hit-outs and 8-2 in center clearance.
“They’ve just got to find a way to neutralize this right now Port Adelaide – O’Brien’s cleanup job. Three touches for three Adelaide central office,” Fox Footy’s Dermott Brereton said.
“It’s a handful for the Port Adelaide boys at the moment.
“If they were to look at the opposition and say: ‘What is wrong with us?’ It’s Reiley O’Brien.
“Overall saves are pretty even, but where it really hurts Port Adelaide is the center rebound. It’s 8-2 to the Adelaide Crows.
“(Port’s game) is based on a fantastic interception defense to win the ball.”
To add to the ruck woes, Jeremy Finlayson had a dirty night.
He coughed up two different 50-yard penalties that resulted in goals and couldn’t find his radar when given the chance.
Manager Ken Hinkley will have the summer to assess how the club tackles their established ruck in 2023.
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