Essendon v Port Adelaide: Bombers fans turn on Robbie Gray for Orazio Fantasia hit

Tom Naghten

Essendon v Port Adelaide: Bombers fans turn on Robbie Gray for Orazio Fantasia hit image

Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray got under the skins of the Essendon faithful when the sides met at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With the visitors in front just before the main break, Gray ran by a kneeling Fantasia, dropping a shoulder in and sending the Bombers forward to the turf.

Fantasia was helped from the ground but was able to return shortly after.

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Shortly after, the Power veteran drew a 50-metre penalty from a significantly less experienced opponent in Mason Redman, seeing Port go into half time with a 16-point lead.


The Essendon fans had seen enough, showering Gray with boos every time he got near the footy for the remainder of the game.

Unfortunately for Bombers fans, the vitriol only seemed to fire up the four-time All Australian, who finished with four goals to help his side to a 59-point win.

While Essendon might have been dreaming of a top-four finish pre-game, the reliably inconsistent Port Adelaide chose to turn up this week and spoil the party.

The visitors signalled their intent early before Essendon fought back, though a concussion to Darcy Parish, along with niggles to Adam Saad and Aaron Francis left them with little gas in the tank in the second half.

Port Adelaide kicked six unanswered goals either side of three-quarter time to end the contest and keep their finals hopes alive, while the seventh-placed Bombers will need to pick up a few more wins in the run home to ensure they feature in September.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.