Scott Lycett and Dan Houston model the No. 7 patches Port Adelaide's players will wear on their jumpers in honour of Russell Ebert. Image: Jordan Bianchini.

THE number seven is as synonymous with the late Russell Ebert as his famous handball, high leaping, and dedication to the community.

It is fitting then that the number seven will be in the heart and over the hearts of Port Adelaide’s players as the club pays tribute to its greatest player at its first home game for the season on Saturday night.

Port will host Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval in a game in which Ebert’s contribution to the club and to Australian Football will be celebrated.

Russell Ebert claims a signature high mark sporting his iconic No. 7 guernsey.

The record four-time Magarey Medallist passed away in November aged 72, 11 months after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

Among the tributes in his honour on Saturday night, Port Adelaide’s players will wear a special guernsey with his iconic number seven on the left breast.

The guernseys will be auctioned off afterwards with all proceeds going to charity Novita, to support children living with disabilities and their families.

Ebert was a long-time supporter of Novita and his oldest son Ben Ebert says it is a special way to continue his legacy.

“Number seven was obviously his number until he became captain and it was important to him so it’s a huge acknowledgement by the club,” Ben Ebert said.

“And then for the guernseys to be auctioned off for his favourite charity is just great recognition for him and our family.”

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Ben Ebert said he and his family continued to be overwhelmed with the support it has received since his father’s passing.

He said while his dad would try to deflect the attention away from himself, celebrating his legacy at a venue where Russell Ebert had created great memories seemed ideal.

“I remember when he had his statue unveiled, he accepted it but still deflected the attention onto others as much as possible,” Ben Ebert said.

“He was so humble that he’d put it onto someone else to get the attention.

“Dad had some great memories at both Adelaide Oval and Alberton. His ashes will be put on Alberton Oval when we get together as a family and also some at Loxton.

“The first thing Dad would think about was both ovals and he always used to talk about having more games at Adelaide Oval and utilising it more so it’s definitely fitting because he had a lot of love for that oval.”

Ebert's collection of four Magarey Medal remains a South Australian record.

The club will incorporate the Ebert family in a number of gestures during its gameday, with those to be announced over the coming days.

“We just need to say thank you to the Port Adelaide Football Club for putting it all together,” Ben Ebert said on behalf of his family.

“It’s great that we can recognise again his achievements and everything that he’s done.

“People still like to hear and see more about dad. I know he won’t be forgotten but to have this recognition and then again in Loxton in May is just a great token for Dad who put so much into the community.”

Along with Saturday night’s AFL game, a SANFL game between Port Adelaide and West Adelaide will be held in Russell Ebert’s honour in May in Loxton, where he played his junior football.

Tickets to Saturday night’s game are still available.

More information about the guernsey auction will be made available in the coming days.