HE was best-on-ground for Port against the Swans and Sam Gray is pushing to be a first-choice midfielder for the Power in 2016.
The 24-year-old former SANFL best and fairest had a team-high 21 possessions and laid five tackles.
Blessed with pure football smarts, Gray has no issue finding the ball when given the opportunity.
He averaged 35 touches a game in the final three matches last year and while Port's midfield is tough to crack into, Gray insisted he believed he could develop into a first-choice midfielder.
"Eventually I'd love to do that," he said.
"But I'm just happy to play my role and if that's with the Magpies in the SANFL then that's how it is – but I'd love to be able to cement my spot eventually.
"Kenny's (Hinkley) sort of said just stay on the edge, that's how I play my best footy…play tough footy and it'll eventually all pan out.
"I'm in the best condition I've been, which I needed to come back in, so that'll help me out."
Gray's new Buddy
Gray also revealed he was tasked with playing against Sydney's newest big midfielder - Lance Franklin.
While he admitted playing against the big Swans engine room was daunting, the 176cm Gray said his experience against mature players since making his SANFL debut in 2010 gave him confidence.
"I stood against Buddy [Franklin] for a little bit, that was a little bit intimidating - he's a pretty big guy - and a bit of [Luke] Parker and a bit of [Josh] Kennedy.
"There was a lot of rotations through the midfield for them.
"Me being pretty small, it' s a little bit intimidating, but I've been playing against men for the last six years so you kind of get used to it."
Port Adelaide is expected to field an almost full-strength side when it plays Melbourne at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
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