Port Adelaide champion Robbie Gray has announced his retirement from the AFL, with Saturday night's Showdown against the Crows to be his last game for the Power.
The club confirmed the 34-year-old's decision on Tuesday morning, with Gray to end his decorated career at Alberton after 271 games across 16 years with Port Adelaide.
Gray wraps up his career after four All-Australian selections, three best and fairest honours and the 2014 AFLCA Champion Player of the year.
The Victorian has also won five Showdown Medals, more than any other player across the Power and Crows, with Saturday's match a fitting end to his spell with Port Adelaide.
โIโm incredibly grateful for the opportunities Iโve had over the journey with this club,โ Gray said, via the club's announcement.
โIโve got some amazing friends and memories that Iโll take with me forever, but itโs time for others to get their chance now.
โI want to thank my teammates, my coaches and all the volunteers and support staff that have been there along the way for me.โ
Gray joined the Power as the 55th selection in the 2006 National Draft, making his debut the following year against Hawthorn.
The Port Adelaide veteran has booted 365 goals, the second most in the club's AFL history.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley lauded the impact Gray has had on the club, stating "there will never be another Robbie Gray".
โI said last week that in my opinion Rob has been the greatest player at our football club in the AFL era and I stick by that. His record demands that kind of recognition,โ Hinkley said.
โI have never seen anyone who can make our great game look so simple, and do such difficult things with such ease.
โWe have been able to count on him to deliver in the big moments and he has won so many awards and accolades, yet he remains the most humble, team-first player who focusses so much attention on making others around him better.
โHe has played such a valuable role in helping develop our younger players in recent years and weโre starting to see that pay dividends.
โItโs a mark of his talent and extraordinary impact that many others have been described as the next Robbie Gray but I think it is fair to say there will never be another Robbie Gray.โ
Saturday's match between Port Adelaide and Adelaide will commence at 7:30pm (AEST) at Adelaide Oval.
