PORT Adelaide's chances of winning back-to-back NAB AFL Rising Star awards have been bolstered after emerging forward Robert Gray won the round 12 nomination.

 

The Power have an impressive record regarding the coveted award, with speedster Danyle Pearce claiming last year's prize and teammates Brad Symes, Jacob Surjan and Troy Chaplin all being nominated.

This season, Gray has burst onto the scene after making his debut in round 10 against the Hawks. He had 13 disposals and kicked two behinds in his opening game, but in the two weeks since, he has booted six goals and had a total of 24 possessions.

He has impressed with his fancy hand and foot skills as well as his ability to find space.

Gray's best performance came last week against the Bombers, where he kicked four goals, one behind, and took four marks in the Power's 31-point win.

The young Victorian was selected with Port's fourth round pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft (with selection 55 overall) after impressing for the Oakleigh Chargers.

He finished second in the club's best and fairest, and attracted the Power's attention with his accuracy around goal and his midfield ability. He also played in the Chargers' premiership side before last year's Grand Final.

The 19-year-old is the first Port Adelaide player to be nominated for this season's award. Other nominees so far this season are Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Ricky Petterd (Melbourne), Jess Smith (Kangaroos), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) and Shannon Hurn (West Coast).