SAM and Robbie Gray might share the same club and surname, but rarely the same midfield over the past three seasons.

While Sam has humbly plied his trade predominantly at SANFL level, his teammate has become one of the AFL’s best midfielders.

If the Power was a string quartet, Sam would play second fiddle as Robbie starred on first violin.

But the boy from Rudall in South Australia wouldn’t have it any other way.

Round 18

“He’s a pretty good player, so to be a namesake isn’t too bad a thing, because he’s one of the better players I’ve seen play the game,” Sam told foxsports.com.au.

“It’d be nice to break out one day, but at the moment I’m happy playing in Robbie’s shadow.”

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For the younger and much smaller Gray — who is no relation to Robbie — that “one day” is seemingly imminent, if the back end to his 2015 AFL campaign is anything to go by.

The 24-year-old had a scintillating finish to the season last year, averaging elite numbers — 35 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, six inside 50s and 128 SuperCoach points — from the final three games of the season. Those matches weren’t against walkover opposition either, with Gray dominating against brilliant midfield brigades like Hawthorn and Fremantle.

Sam Gray looks up to namesake Robbie Gray. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

The stunning three-game stint paid off. He polled five Brownlow votes, finished the season ranked the fifth-best midfielder-forward in the competition — according to Champion Data — and, above all, won himself a two-year contract extension that included an official upgrade to Port’s senior list.

“I surprised myself a little bit,” Gray said.

“It was good to get in the middle and spend a bit of time with Robbie Gray and Travis Boak, because you learn a fair bit from those guys.

“I guess I didn’t time it very well, because we didn’t make the finals and we finished up all of a sudden. But it was great to finish off the season like that, so hopefully I can start off the year like that this year.”

However Gray’s purple patch was hard-earned and his contract extension wasn’t handed to him on a platter.

Drafted onto the club’s rookie list ahead of the 2014 season, Gray was upgraded early then immediately taken out of his comfort zone. After spending most of his junior career in the midfield, he was asked to play a small forward role for the Power — a first task he describes as a “bit of a shock”.

Sam Gray averaged 35 disposals in the last three games of 2015. Photo Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Gray was again upgraded from the rookie list midway through the 2015 season to replace the injured Jared Polec. He played four matches, but was omitted after two quiet games against the Western Bulldogs and Geelong. Again, he found himself back with Port’s SANFL side.

Enter coach Ken Hinkley, who laid down a career-defining challenge to one of his favourite players on the Power list.

“When we started to get a few injuries, Kenny came up to me and said that it was time for me to make my mark now if you want to be part of this team,” Gray said.

The on-baller had “a few decent weeks” in the SANFL — “decent” being three best-on-ground performances in four rounds. In those three games, he accumulated 31, 34 and 30 disposals respectively.

So the nuggety inside midfielder, who uses his fast hands to feed the footy out to outside runners, was given the opportunity to prove himself in his favourite part of the ground at the highest level.

And he didn’t disappoint.

“Once I got the call up I thought to myself that if I don’t start showing something, I won’t be here next year. I just had to put the foot down and play some good footy,” he said.

“It was great to show everyone, but also show myself, that I can play in the midfield and that my height (176cm) wasn’t a big issue,” he said.

Gray says he and Hinkley have a close relationship, with the former eternally grateful for the faith the latter has showed in him.

Sam Gray has been a Port Adelaide player and supporter since his teenage years. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

“When I was first drafted, he was really happy to see a guy that was drafted at a later age and smaller in stature. He’s been a big fan of me since day dot. I’m just trying to repay him for the opportunity he gave me,” Gray said.

“Even this year he’s said to stay on edge because that’s the way you play your best footy. If I can do that, I’ll be right.”

Port director of coaching Shaun Hart says Gray’s awesome finish to 2015 and a new two-year deal was a testament to his perseverance.

“Sam’s one of those guys that came in and was used a fair bit up forward. Even though he’d played SANFL footy on the ball most of the time, he wasn’t given a look-in because of Travis Boak, Hamish Hartlett, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert — those sorts of guys,” Hart said.

“As soon as he got the opportunity in the midfield and inside, he showed his capabilities in there. Once he got that look in, no one was going to keep him out of there.”

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Port fans has been Gray’s motivation and ability to carry his late-season momentum into the 2016 pre-season.

Gray, one of the large percentage of Power players that recorded personal best times in post-Christmas time trials, has been a standout on the training track.

“He found some real confidence in understanding himself as an AFL player. He’s not rested, he’s wanted to continue drive his own standards of performance on the training track,” Hart said.

Gray believes he’s in “the best shape I’ve ever been”.

“Towards the end of last year, I started to get a bit more time in the midfield, so I knew I had to come back in a bit better shape this year if I wanted to push for a spot again,” he said.

Sam Gray has been one of the best trainers at Port Adelaide during the pre-season. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

“I’ve had a bit of a word to the coaches and hopefully I’ll play an 80-20 midfield-forward mix this year, swapping with a few of the other boys when they need a rest.”

Gray’s determination to be the best player he can be derives from a strong passion and love for the Port Adelaide Football Club.

He began playing with the Magpies — Port’s SANFL affiliate — when he was 12 years old and successfully worked his way through the junior program. He’s also always been a mad Power supporter.

“It’s a big honour to play for Port,” Gray said.

“When I was a kid and moved over here, I was playing for the Port Magpies. I was really close with all the guys coming through as a junior.

“To finally here my name called out for the Power was pretty exciting. At the same time, I can go back and play with the Magpies when I’m not playing AFL.”

But Gray doesn’t plan on playing too many — if any — games in the SANFL this year.

“I want to help get the Power to play finals footy this year. We had a bit of a low year last year,” Gray said.

“On a personal note, I’d like to start with the AFL side and cement my spot in there.”