PORT ADELAIDE superstar Robbie Gray had an emotional rollercoaster in 2017, with the news that he and his beautiful wife Annabel were expecting their first baby, followed by the shock of his testicular cancer diagnosis.

Gray’s mindset quickly shifted from Port’s narrow elimination final loss, to focus on his wellbeing, Bel and the impending birth of their first child.

The three-time All-Australian said taking care of Bel and focussing on the arrival of Aston Gray gave him and his family a great distraction from the ongoing medical treatment he was receiving.

“The whole nine months leading up to his birth, we just couldn’t wait for him to get here,” Gray told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“It gave me something to focus on and look forward to.

“It made everything easier. My focus was on him and when he was going to be here.

“And now he is here, it’s the most unbelievable feeling, it’s hard to put into words.”

The Grays married in January of last year, and always knew they wanted to start a family together.

Upon the arrival of Aston, the two couldn’t be happier, and Bel was full of praise for Robbie’s ability to transition into parenthood despite the obstacles he had faced along the way.

“He was more concerned about looking after me,” Bel said.

“He’s been just the best dad, I can’t even explain how good he is.

“He will get up in the night and just sit with me so I’m not alone.

“From day one he has been so confident with him. He is the best dad.”

The three-time Cahill Medallist says he is excited thinking about the moment Bel can bring Aston into the rooms after a Port Adelaide victory.

“I can’t wait to come into the rooms and see the little man in there,” Gray said.

“That feeling as we walk off after a nice win, and seeing him down there in his little Port jumper – that will be special.”

The 29-year-old says while football is still very important to him, his perspective on life has changed since the arrival of his son Aston, and the health scare he suffered in September.

“Sometimes I used to get weighed down in footy and you can’t get your head around anything else because so it’s full-on,” Gray said.

“When these things happen in your life, you stop and think about things a little differently.”

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