ROBBIE GRAY is back to full training, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in the days succeeding last year’s elimination final loss to West Coast.

Gray was on a modified pre-season training schedule for the first six weeks, but the three-time All-Australian says his training load post-Christmas has been back to normal.

“Funnily enough it’s been a better pre-season than last year,” Gray said.

“I’ve done a lot more training, and the body has been feeling better – particularly after Christmas.

“This year, I’ve done a lot more match practice at training, and haven’t missed anything after Christmas.”

The 29-year-old says while he was shocked by the news of his diagnosis, the distraction of his wife Annabel’s pregnancy and the impending birth of his son Aston kept him busy.

“It was only a few days after the elimination final that I found out, so my focus quickly changed from footy to the surgery and what was coming next,” he said.

“I started getting a little bit of pain, so I gave the club doctor a call.

“I had the scans and found out pretty soon after there was something there. I went to see a specialist to work out a plan moving forward.

“I suppose I was just shocked. I mean you never think something like that is going to happen to you.”

“I was always looking forward to the birth of our little boy, so there was that in my mind the whole time.”

The majestic forward says the support he received from not only his family and friends, but the entire football community was “overwhelming”.

“Chocco (Mark Williams) gave me a call. We still talk occasionally. We have always got on really well,” he said.

“I got to know Roughy (Jarryd Roughead) in the International Rules a couple of years ago – he reached out and we exchanged a few texts.

“There were even Crows supporters messaging me on social media, wishing me all the best – that meant a lot to me, just the support from everyone.”

Reflecting on the experience at the Adelaide Cancer Centre receiving chemotherapy treatment, Gray says he feels lucky that he only needed one cycle.

“It knocked me around a little bit especially the first week, but I had some good medication to help with the nausea,” he said.

“The staff did a fantastic job, they made it as easy as possible.

“I think I’m really lucky that I was only in for one cycle, when there are so many other people in there doing it harder than me.”

The ordeal has driven the three-time club champion to become an ambassador for men’s health for SA Health, with the ambition to raise awareness.

"It's mainly to raise some awareness for men out there because we're probably not the most organised at going and getting check-ups and seeing our doctors," he said.

"If I can bring any awareness and make a little difference in how blokes think, and if that gets them to a check-up more regularly, then that's a good thing.”

Gray has been selected in Port Adelaide’s squad to face the Eagles at Leederville Oval in Perth on Sunday evening – potentially his first competitive hit-out for the 2018 season.  

More on portadelaidefc.com.au..