STRONG seasons for two Sam Gray and Nathan Krakouer have seen the two Port Adelaide rookies agree to terms on contract extensions for 2016.
As rookies, both Gray and Krakouer – recruited from the club’s SANFL team for 2014 and 2015 respectively – were forced to earn a position by virtue of their consistency in the state league.
Gray was upgraded to replace the injured Jared Polec midway through the season while Nathan Krakouer was twice put on the senior list, originally in place of the injured Billy Frampton and then later as the Power’s ‘nominated rookie’ at Round 12.
Stories of perseverance
Krakouer’s story of persistence to re-enter the AFL after his initial departure in 2011 is remarkable.
Leaving the Gold Coast after its inaugural season, the one-time Power player was playing reserve-grade football in the WA goldfields before being given a chance to resurrect his career by Port Adelaide, first as a contracted SANFL player in 2014 and then via the rookie draft for the most recent season.
SHOULDER: Krakouer has arthroscopy
He has agreed to a one-year contract extension as a rookie.
Sam Gray has been a revelation for Port as a smart and hard-working small midfielder in his second season on the Power’s list.
Sam Gray will remain at Port Adelaide until at least the end of 2017 [pic: AFL Media]
He played a stint of four games in the middle of the season, but was omitted after struggle against the Western Bulldogs and Geelong in Rounds 10 and 11.
But strong midfield form in the SANFL earned him a recall to Port’s AFL line-up against St Kilda in Round 18.
There he proved his worth as a capable inside ball-winner, breaking his personal disposal record in every game between Round 18 and 22, and among the Power’s best players on a weekly basis.
That form has seen the Power put a two-year contract extension on the table, which includes an upgrade to its senior list from 2016.
“They’re both great stories for the footy club with Sam Gray coming through from our Magpies junior program and now announcing himself as an AFL player,” Power senior coach Ken Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“And you can’t over-estimate the difficulty of Krak’s journey making it back to play top line footy from where he’s come from is a terrific achievement.”
Gray and Krakouer are currently on leave from the club following the Power’s minor round exit last weekend.
Port Adelaide returns to pre-season training in November.
