ROBBIE Gray is the first player in over 100 years to take away three consecutive Port Adelaide Football Club best and fairest awards - and the club’s first ever at the AFL level.
Gray accepted the prestigious accolade in front of a 1200-strong audience at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday night.
In doing so, the decorated midfielder cements his place among Port Adelaide greats and fellow multiple John Cahill Medal award winners Kane Cornes and Warren Tredrea, who each have four to their name – albeit not consecutively.
Despite a disappointing season for the Power overall, Gray shone as one of the club’s most consistent performers throughout a tough 2016.
Named best on ground in the first three games of the season, a four-game set back with a hamstring injury didn’t slow Gray’s polling ability down.
Rebounding half-back Jasper Pittard looked the favourite – he led the pack by 32 votes at the mid-season bye.
But solid performances against Hawthorn, North Melbourne, GWS and Brisbane saw Gray creep back into the lead by Round 19, and despite a charge home by Ollie Wines in the Power’s final few games, Gray’s form simply couldn’t be challenged.
He finished the tally 24 votes ahead of runner-up Wines with a total of 230 votes to his name.
Wines’ star showing in Showdown XLI earned him a whopping 22 votes, leaving him with second-place honours at 206.
Jasper Pittard finished third with 190 votes in arguably his best season at Alberton so far.
Life membership was also awarded to John Cahill Medallist Robbie Gray, Power skipper Travis Boak, veteran players Justin Westhoff and Paul Stewart, along with club board director Trevor Thiele.
Port Adelaide John Cahill Medal winners
John Cahill Medallist: Robbie Gray
B&F Second Place: Ollie Wines
B&F Third place: Jasper Pittard
Fos Williams Medal (Peer-voted best team man): Jasper Pittard
Gavin Wanganeen Medal (Best player under 21): Jarman Impey
Coaches Choice Award (Most improved): Jasper Pittard
John McCarthy Community Award (Service to community outside of player requirements): Jack Hombsch
