PORT Adelaide star forward Robbie Gray wants to remain at Alberton Oval past the end of his 2015 contract.

Gray has another season to play on the three-year deal he signed after rupturing the ACL in his right knee in round four, 2012.

But the 26-year-old told AFL.com.au that given the way the Power have turned their fortunes around in the last 18 months, he wanted to stay at the club for the long haul.

"[I'm] very keen to stick around, good times are ahead at the club and I think we're going in the right direction," Gray said.

"A lot of us have been here a long time together and gone thorough some pretty low times.

"Things are starting to turn now and I definitely want to be a part of that."

Gray impressed the football world last season when he not only returned to the AFL within 12 months of having his knee reconstructed, but went on to play 20 of the club's 24 games.

He said it took until late last year before his knee felt as good as it did prior to the injury but with another pre-season in the bank, Gray has begun season 2014 as one of the Power's most important players.

In his three games he's averaged 18 disposals and two goals.

"I definitely don't feel like I'm still in recovery, I played a lot of footy last year and then got a full pre-season under my belt," he said.

"I didn't really think about it much last year but I suppose to get that strength and speed and agility back, it probably took a little bit longer – towards the back half of last year.

"[I'm] feeling very confident with my knee now and back to normal."

Although deadly around goal, Gray has long wanted to roam higher up the ground through the midfield and his club has wanted it too.

He currently splits his time between the two positions and said it was a tactic that would likely continue.

With the likes of Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett, Ollie Wines and Angus Monfies all capable of playing in attack and through the middle, Gray said he didn't mind having a foot in each camp.

"We'll just wait and see what match ups come up on any given week and I'll probably continue to play a little bit of both going forward I think… depending on where Ken [Hinkley] wants to play me," he said.

"I think we've got a good mix and a good balance of players who can do that in our team."

The Victorian native has come a long way since being drafted while working as teenage meatpacker back in 2006.

From playing in the 2007 Grand Final, to the club's bottoming out and his horrific knee injury and to the present, where Port's future appears bright – Gray has experienced all the highs and lows the game offers.

He said he sometimes thinks about his journey and, while it hasn't proved the fairytale that draftees hope for, he considered himself privileged to still be playing football for the Power.

"I've had some injuries along the way and not everything's gone to plan…but I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am and I've loved every minute of it at Port Adelaide," he said.

"We’ve had some tough times but, as I said before, it's starting to turn around now and I'm really enjoying my footy."

Twitter: @AFL_Harry http://afl.to/harrythring