- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With Luke Breust, Luke Dahlhaus and Dustin Martin in contention for a spot in the All-Australian forward six, there won’t be a spot for two of Port Adelaide’s best small forwards.
Both Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard have had milestone years, reaching 100 games and 50 games respectively. The pair are crucial players for the Power.
Wingard’s only poor game this season was on the weekend, compounded by Jay Schulz giving him a kick to the head as he flew to try and take a massive mark. Wingard was stretchered off and subbed out of the game with concussion and only five touches.
Round 10 against Hawthorn, Round 8 against Fremantle and Round 2 against Adelaide have been Chad Wingard’s best games this season thus far. Against Hawthorn Wingard kicked the goal of the week and executed the “handball of the year” according to Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor. He finished the game with three goals.
The 2013 John Cahill medalist sparked the Power in their clash with Fremantle kicking three third term goals. Wingard had the chance to kick five goals but couldn’t capitalise, particularly after taking a mark of the year nominee.
Wingard also delivered in Adelaide Oval’s first showdown kicking four goals.
Robbie Gray is clearly back to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury early in the 2012 season. It was a long road back for the 26-year-old.
In 2011 Gray was one of Port Adelaide’s best players during a dismal season for his club. Gray, as a midfielder, was the Power’s leading goal kicker in 2011 with 32. This year Gray is on track to beat his 2011 tally, having already kicked 17 majors. Gray is averaging 23 disposals and is equal fourth for goal assists in the competition.
Gray’s best game this season came against the West Coast Eagles in Round 5. In a tough contest at Pattersons Stadium, Gray led the power for the whole game, finishing with two goals and 24 disposals. The 100-gamer has had two 30-possession hauls against GWS and Fremantle. Most of his possessions against Fremantle were in the final quarter.
His season best performance for goals was in the Power’s triple-digit thumping of Brisbane in Round 4, where he kicked four himself.
Chad Wingard is certainly a big game player, has freakish skills and certainly a lot of x-factor. The 21-year-old is arguably in the top ten players of competition when on song, lethal in both the air and on the ground. But if the All-Australian team was chosen tomorrow, Robbie Gray would be selected.
Likely to currently be in the top three of Port’s best and fairest, Gray is a versatile player who carries a lot of value.
The stats do the talking when choosing out of Gray and Wingard. Gray averages eight more disposals than Wingard, however Wingard has kicked four more goals than Gray this season. Gray also can play both inside and outside the contest whereas Wingard stays more outside. Gray is third at his club for contested possessions behind Ollie Wines and Travis Boak. Gray also averages five more uncontested possessions than Chad Wingard.
It should be remembered that Gray accumulates more disposals as he spends more time in the midfield compared to the 2013 All Australian.
It may only be halfway through the season but Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray would have certainly caught the eye of All-Australian selectors.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.