PORT ADELAIDE forward Brad Ebert looks back with pride at playing his part in helping the club out of its darkest hour and remains hopeful of guiding it to premiership success, as he approaches his 250th game against his former side West Coast.
Ebert will play his milestone game against the Eagles on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The 30-year-old played the first 76 games of his career with the Perth team, having been drafted from the Port Adelaide Magpies with pick 13 in the 2007 AFL draft.
“It’s a little bit ironic isn’t it,” Ebert said on Tuesday about playing his 250th against West Coast.
“The first time the fixtures came out it was still meant to be that same game so the way that the fixtures have rolled, it’s happened again.
“It’s a little bit of a coincidence but I’m super excited to go up against the old boys and hopefully get a win but it’s been one of those where I appreciated and loved my time at West Coast but then I’ve been able to come back and really enjoy my time at Port as well.
“I’ve been involved at two great clubs and it’s just a coincidence that it ends up that I’m playing against them in my 250th so it’s quite fitting.”
Ebert returned in the 2011 trade period to Port Adelaide, a club where his father Craig played 112 SANFL games, arriving at a time where the club was at its lowest ebb with poor crowds, on-field results and finances.
He says being part of the turnaround is one of his proudest achievements.
“Coming to a club that was in a pretty bad position in 2012 and being able to sort of help the club get out of that period,” Ebert said.
“2013 and 14 resulted in us turning around performances on the field around but also then helping the club turn around as well so in that sense being a part of that, probably a small part, but helping the club get out of that financial turmoil has been a moment that I look back and think I was pretty proud to be a part of that.
“The other thing is really that I’m keen on – I don’t have a premiership to my name – so I’m super keen on getting that before my career ends so that’s where I’m at at the moment – just focusing on doing what I can to keep winning and hopefully get one of them.”
One of the more consistent performers in Port Adelaide’s AFL history, Ebert was last year stifled by concussion and knee injuries that limited him to just 11 games. To put that into context, he has never played fewer than 15 – and that number came in his debut season with the Eagles in 2008.
But now he is just happy to be back to be back on the park and enjoying his football.
“For the most part of my career I’ve probably been lucky in the sense that I didn’t miss too many games. Last year I missed that bit of time with concussion and a bit of time with my PCL but other than that I’ve been quite fortunate in that sense that I was able to string a fair few games together,” Ebert said.
“You’re always faced with different obstacles along the journey and you push through things here and there but I’ve just enjoyed the journey and tried to find that balance in life.
“I try to not take footy too seriously but also have that balance in life which has helped me keep enjoying it for this long and keep my performances pretty consistent.”
As for West Coast, which has lost its past two games, Ebert is expecting a response on Saturday.
“They’re a great club, a really proud club and I’m sure they’re going to be out there to make sure they turn around their form,” he explained.
“We’re just keen to have a good contest with them because we know we always have some close battles with them and I’m sure this will be no different.”
Ebert’s wife Bec and sons Leo, 3, and Henry 1, will fly up to the Gold Coast on Friday to be part of his milestone.
Wingman Xavier Duursma won’t be part of the game, having succumbed to a hamstring strain, but Ebert nominated a host of names, including Sam Mayes, Kane Farrell, Jack Watts and Jarrod Lienert – who could step in to replace him.
Port Adelaide will take on the Eagles at Metricon Stadium from 1:15pm on Saturday.
