HE didn't cry. But there is unlikely to be a dry eye in the house on Saturday night when Robbie Gray, the Showdown specialist, will close his one-club career at Port Adelaide in Showdown LII.

"It is the right time," said Gray in confirming the moment - the close to a stunning career. The finale will bring to every Port Adelaide fan (and all football lovers) tears of heartbreak on Saturday night to match the tears of joy that have come since round 10, 2007 with Gray's AFL debut against Hawthorn at Football Park.

"The decision (to retire) was tough, but once I made it I knew I had made the right one. I knew it was time."

Gray, 34, will on Saturday night close his exemplary 16-season experience at Alberton with 271 AFL games, hopefully adding to his 365 goals and certainly with the title as one of Port Adelaide's greatest players of any era. The finale will be his 22nd Showdown. He has five Showdown Medals - and a reputation from his derby rivals as a player they feared and respected as a match winner.

Destiny appropriately has Gray bid farewell at a derby and before his adoring Port Adelaide fans.

"Clearly, (Showdowns) are always great games to play in," said Gray, who will be seeking his lucky 13th win in a derby on Saturday night. "To play in one more - and for that to be the last - has me looking forward to playing Saturday night.

"I can't wait to play in front of the fans one last time. They have given me and my family so much and been such great supporters of me personally. It is what the fans give to all of us as players that makes them amazing. I am looking forward to getting out there one last time and thanking them for their support."

The ideal script finish would be for the man with the AFL record for deciding more games than anyone else with the last kick of the match to add to the collection in his final Showdown.

"Just the win would be nice," said Gray.

Gray completed a near-perfect pre-season with high expectations that were sunk when a Brisbane opponent fell across Gray, aggravating a medial ligament to a knee. His ability to continually take to the training track was compromised. His ability to perform consistently to his high standards was challenged. His moment to say goodbye became inevitable.

"(Retirement) is something that has been on my mind for a fair while to be honest," Gray said. "You get to this age; the issues I have had with my body ... I knew it was the right time, as hard as it is to make the call - and admit to yourself that it is the time - I am really comfortable. And I am looking forward to whatever is next."

The prospect of making a full recovery to the irritated knee, a managed pre-season and limited game time - all in the quest for that AFL premiership - did not appeal to Gray. He certainly deserved a memorable swansong season.

"It played on my mind a fair bit because this year has been a struggle," Gray conceded. "I did feel good coming into this year. After I weighed everything up, I felt this was the right call for me personally - and the footy club as well.

"(My spirit to play) was still there. I love competing. That is still there. But I am comfortable knowing the time is right ...

"I'll miss coming in every day. I have been so used to it; coming in with 45 really good mates, all the staff. You become really close to these people. It is going to be a bit of an adjustment. That is what I will miss most. And game day - just competing. That is something I have loved over the journey."

Hinkley resisted talking Gray into a farewell lap knowing the theme did not align with Gray's "team first" attitude.

"What I love about Robbie," said Hinkley, "is the team always comes first.

"When we were having this conversation around what this feels and looks like for him, Robbie's first reply was, 'I don't want to be that person who goes one more year for the sake of going one more year; the team is more important'.

"The team always has been more important for Robbie.

"None of us has been looking forward to this moment. But it is a time Robbie knows is right. And that is why we respect his decision."

Hinkley describes Gray as Port Adelaide's best player of its AFL era since 1997.

Gray responds: "You know how much I like speaking about myself ..."

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Hinkley's tribute on Tuesday reaffirmed all that is admired of Gray.

"With great champions, you know the person is more special than the footballer," Hinkley said. "It is remarkable when you watch Robbie play football. He is the complete package. Super smart footballer. He just loves the game. And when you love the game as Robbie does, you always will be successful. He is the absolute best of the best when it comes to playing the game. He also is high up in that list of great people.

"Robbie's performance in big moments ... you ask which (game-winning) kick does he remember the most. How fantastic is it that you ask which - which - kick. He does it that often for you; he does it that reliably for you.

"That is why this moment is sad - and a celebration in so many other ways. We will all reflect and go, 'Gee, I coached Robbie Gray ... when Robbie Gray should have been coaching me'. Or, 'I played with Robbie Gray ... I was his team-mate, I was a mate'.

"Robbie is such a special person. I find it sad as much as this is a celebration of his career."

Gray's highlights package is a library. Shelf after shelf carries moments that are part of AFL history, not just Port Adelaide moments of glory.

"One stands out," says Gray of his favourite memories. "It was 2013. We went over and beat Collingwood at the G in a final. Just given where we had come from before (with the club's toughest hours through 2010-2012), I just remember being out on the G that night and I couldn't believe it. Being out there with Travis Boak, with him after the game and just that memory of my first final. No-one gave us much hope ...

"There are the preliminary finals. The 2014 preliminary final (against Hawthorn at the MCG) was huge. Massive crowd. Sad day as well (by the result).

"The Showdowns. I am not sure why (the Showdowns brought out the best). I know you are excited to play in them. You are excited to play in every game. Showdowns have a little bit more on the line. I remember early days and watching Chad Cornes and Dean Brogan go about it and how much it meant to them and how special the game was to this State. You want to perform every week, but ... they are huge games and as an individual you want to perform in big games. Showdowns are big games. They have been enjoyable. And it is nice to be involved in one more.

"There has been plenty of highlights.

"I would have laughed (if anyone had said in 2006 that this would be my career). I had no expectation early on. I had no idea what was in front of me. It certainly is amazing to think back. It was so long ago and at the same time it goes quick."

Gray overcame the horrific knee injury suffered early in the clash with Collingwood at the Docklands in round four 2012, his 70th AFL match. He has added 200 games to his record by matching his class with will power.

"I had the big operation and a really good run for a long time," Gray said. "(The knee) has got a bit grumbly the last few years. Round one, there was a bit of an incident with it. I was able to come back and play, but it has been a bit of a struggle ... the rest of the body is feeling okay.

"The (injury) was a major point in my life. I learned a lot about overcoming adversity - and a lot about myself. After that, I have been able to handle things a lot better. It is part of maturing and growing up. That moment was major for me."

Gray arrived at Alberton in the summer of 2006-2007 as the No. 55 pick in the AFL national draft. He came with no expectation - and leaves having lived up to all of Port Adelaide's expectations, if not more.

"I said to the group, I didn't know what it would look like coming over (from Victoria)," Gray said. "I did not expect to get drafted. I dreamt of playing one game. Now, I feel incredibly grateful to the football club - firstly, for picking me up; and to the people who had big influences on my career. They saw something in me. They gave me the opportunity.

"I didn't have any huge expectations. To be here now after all this time is pretty crazy when you think about it.

"The great thing about football clubs is the mates you make with players - and the staff, everyone here. There are so many great people involved at football clubs. I am grateful to have made some amazing friendships and to have met some great people in my time at this club."

Being a one-club player has significance to Gray - as has sharing the journey with fellow 2006 draftee, Travis Boak.

"It is incredibly special to me," Gray said. "I am really grateful for the opportunity I have had to be here. There have been ups and downs along the way. The club stuck by me (after the knee injury in 2012). It has been great to, hopefully, repay that faith Port Adelaide showed in me by giving me the chance to play in the first place and then sticking by me.

"It has been amazing to be here with Travis. We have been best mates the whole way through. He has been such a great friend to me and my family. It is sad to finish up as day-to-day football team-mates, but we will be great mates forever."

Gray leaves Port Adelaide without the premiership he deserved.

"Yep ... it certainly (does hurt)," Gray said. "It is disappointing not to have one, that is for sure. But I know I have given everything to the game and this football club. I look forward to watching on - watching this group hopefully get what they deserve. I hope that happens really soon.

"This is a very talented group. We have some amazing young talent at the club. Zak Butters and some of those guys around that (21-24 age), I am excited what they can do once they get some more years under their belts. This year has been disappointing. But I know we are a lot better side that what we have been this year. I am sure they will bounce back next year with a bright future for this group."

Gray closes his locker but not his path through Australian football.

"I'd love to stay involved in footy in some capacity, but what that looks like we will wait and see," Gray said.

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Gray's announcement to his team-mates was a test for avoiding the tears while others could not.

"It went better than expected from my point of view," said Gray. "I thought I would be no good. I thought I would get quite emotional. I didn't ...

"It was the hardest thing for me to get my head around. I was comfortable with the decision. It went okay ..."

Saturday night might not be so easy in avoiding the tears.

"I want one last crack at it," says Gray.

One last chance for everyone to appreciate one of the greatest players in 152 years of Port Adelaide football.