Since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament in April last year, Gray has worked hard to return to the field within the one-year timeframe originally estimated.
Although Gray played limited game time for the Bloods, Port Adelaide development manager Daniel Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au his movement around the ball was pleasing.
“Robbie only played the second half and didn’t set the world on fire with possessions - just five - but it was all about his movement which was encouraging,” Healy said.
“He’ll play for the Maggies reserves on Thursday night because West doesn’t have a game this week.
“It’s exciting times and we’re looking forward to seeing him even bigger and better.”
See Robbie, Dom and Brett Ebert suit up for the Magpies league and reserves sides this Thursday night at Alberton Oval. League (with Brett) starts at 5:45pm and Reserves (with Dom and Robbie) from 7:15pm.
Young defender Jack Hombsch played at full-back for Sturt in the same game and impressed Healy with his ability to keep his direct opponent quiet, while himself accruing 14 touches.
Hombsch has missed the Power's NAB Cup campaign after rolling an ankle in February.
“Jack was very solid: He took five marks, defended and read the game really well,” said Healy.
“Importantly his man had very limited impact on the game which is great for Jack.”
FOUR players lined up at Alberton Oval earlier that day when Port Adelaide hosted the Roosters.
Newly transferred Ben Newton played his first game for the Magpies on the ball and rotating off the bench.
Healy was pleased with Newton’s first game with the Magpies despite playing 60 per cent of the match.
“He only had 12 possessions but also had five clearances and impressed the coaching staff of the Maggies with some of his clearance work,” said Healy.
“He kicked it really well and while we want more from him output-wise, it was a good performance considering he’d only met his teammates for the first time the day before.”
Justin Hoskin had a solid game for the Magpies providing lots of run from defence in a 17-possession performance Healy described as “productive”, while Danny Butcher played across half-forward for the Magpies against his former SANFL affiliate, but was quiet compared to previous outings.
Nathan Blee played on the wing for the Roosters and finished the match with 22 touches – 10 of which he accrued in the final term.
“He had a pretty solid game with a goal in the last quarter and certainly showed more urgency and good ball use for North,” said Healy.
ON Friday evening three Power players lined up in Glenelg’s internal trial match at Max Basheer Reserve.
A heavily modified outing with just a half of football played between the Tigers’ League and Reserves sides saw Tom Logan, Tom Clurey and Cam Hitchcock take the field.
Development coach Tyson Edwards was at the game and said Logan’s return from patella tendonitis was pleasing.
The nuggetty defender played through the midfield the entire match and accrued 15 disposals.
“The most pleasing thing was he (Logan) moved really well and got involved,” Edwards told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“He didn’t get involved too much around stoppages but around the ground his kicking was good - it’s pleasing to see.”
Clurey, drafted to the club in November, played entirely in defence and continued his progress within the AFL system, while Hitchcock appeared quiet on paper, however probably suffered through playing in a dominant “A” side against the Tigers reserves, with lots of competition for the ball up forward.
“It probably wasn’t Hitchy’s ‘type’ of game – he was a bit congested with all of the competition in the forward line, but he kicked on goal playing between half-forward and forward.”
CENTRAL District and Norwood played out at Elizabeth on Friday night as well, with Darren Pfeiffer and Brent Renouf lining up for the Redlegs.
Development coach Stuart Cochrane said Pfeiffer played a reasonable game with 13 disposals in his first full game since returning from a shoulder injury, with a focus on winning the contested ball his next priority.
“It was his first full game back and he played midfield so it gave him a good opportunity to get stuck back into it,” said Cochrane.
“He was a little bit rusty getting back into play, but he got himself into the right positions and ran the game out well.”
Renouf’s return has been highly anticipated as part of the three-man ruck combo Port Adelaide hopes to have fully fit in 2013.
Playing in the reserves, Renouf played just under half the match but won every ruck contest and finished with 15 hit outs.
“It was good to see him back after nearly a year and it was great to see him get back on the field and get through a half of footy,” said Cochrane.
“Hopefully we’ll see him work into the Redlegs’ seniors soon enough.”
Mason Shaw played for South Adelaide against the Eagles at Noarlunga with Cochrane saying his focus will be on developing a greater competitive edge in the coming weeks.
“Ron Fuller’s given him (Shaw) an opportunity to play League footy which is great,” said Cochrane.
“South had a few tall forwards who he was competing with for the footy, but he kicked two goals and we want to see him now compete really hard on a consistent basis.”
The SANFL Report will review the form of the club’s players in the state league every Tuesday in-season.
