PORT Adelaide livewire Robbie Gray says he'll spend added time in the midfield in 2012 after focusing on his running and strength over the pre-season.

Do you like the idea of Robbie spending more time in the midfield? Have your say below the article

A noticeably bigger Gray looked at home through the middle in the Power's internal trial match last Friday and also managed to drift forward to kick two goals.

"I've been working on my running, as everyone else has, but that's probably been the main focus for me," he said.

"I'll be playing forward as well, but coming up the ground a bit more.

"To be able to play every game last year and then complete a full pre-season, I'm confident heading into the year," he said.

Despite his intentions, Gray was quick to point out that a spot in the Power's onball brigade would have to be well earned, after the club acquired two elite runners late last year.

"We've brought in (Brad) Ebert and  (John) McCarthy who are going to run through the midfield," he said.

"They're obviously really good runners.

"And we've already got a fairly good mix through there; Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak and those sorts of guys."

[ Related: Carr & Rehn analyse every midfielder ]

Gray echoed Boak's claims that with bigger bodies Power players wouldn't be pushed around this season.

He said he believed a more professional approach in the weights room, as well as an influx of new coaching staff, will see the Power improve dramatically.

"It's definitely stepped up a notch in the gym; everyone has taken their weights really seriously this pre-season," he said.

"A lot of people have put on weight and got a lot stronger, so I think a combination of that and the new coaches and the new structures that we'll have should hold us in good stead.

"I think there's no doubt we'll improve on last year - we're very confident about that."

[ Related: Dream Team - Mids & Rucks ]

Speaking before boarding a plane to Whyalla to promote healthy living messages in schools for the Russell Ebert-created Power Community Youth Program, Gray insisted Port's focus was round one of the regular season.

"Every year you want to go into round one at your best, so you won't be going all out in the NAB Cup," Gray admitted.

"I think a lot of kids will get a go in the first couple of weeks and then by round three or four Matty (Primus) will be close to picking the best team primed for round one.

But he said the playing group was eager to put the new ideas of Shaun Rehn, Tyson Edwards, Brad Gotch and Josh Carr into action, ideas he hoped would turn around the Power's damning record of getting the ball into their forward line.

The club was the AFL's worst for inside-50s in 2011 with 969, compared to reigning premiers Collingwood, who managed 1573, although they played three more games.

"We've done a lot of work on our stoppages … and we're really excited to test them out this weekend against opposition," Gray said.

"That'll go a big way to getting the ball inside 50 and how we want to get it inside 50. "

Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry