FAMILY means a lot to Brad Ebert – and not just because he is the product of two of the most famous and successful Port Adelaide families in the club’s 150-year history.
On Saturday when he runs out at Metricon Stadium to notch his 250th AFL game, he will do so with some of his best friends, players like captain Tom Jonas and vice captain Hamish Hartlett, who have been with him since he arrived back at Alberton at the end of 2011.
And while it means a lot to reach the milestone with them by his side, Ebert is more excited to have his young family there to witness the occasion.
The 30-year-old had feared he may be running out without his wife Bec and sons Leo, 3, and Henry, 1, in attendance because of the AFL’s COVID-19 restrictions.
But the trio arrived on the Gold Coast on Friday and will be watching on eagerly as Ebert reaches his milestone.
“It’s very special. I’m excited to have them up here – we’ve had a week here without them,” Ebert told portadelaidefc.com.au on Friday night.
“For me to be able to celebrate my 250th with the team and with the boys is fantastic but family is number one and Bec’s been there for most of the journey as well so I was pretty keen to get them up here and be able to celebrate with them, hopefully after a win tomorrow night and with everyone else.”
The son of Craig Ebert, who played 112 SANFL games for Port Adelaide, Brad Ebert is also the nephew of Russell Ebert (391 games for Port Adelaide, 1968-1978 and 1980-1985) and Jeff Ebert (one game for Port Adelaide, 1972); and cousin to Brett Ebert (230 senior games at Port Adelaide, 2002-2013).
On his mother’s side, he is the grandson of Trevor Obst (200 SANFL games with Port Adelaide, 1959-1972); great grandson of Ken (165 games, 1933-1943); grand nephew to Peter (171 games, 1955-1964 and 1968-1969) and second cousin to Andrew (90 games, 1987-1989 and 1998-1999).
With 17 league premierships and six Magarey Medals amongst that group, it’s fair to say Brad Ebert is from royal bloodlines.
And while family is number one, friends and teammates are a close second.
Ebert was due to reach 250 last season, along with good friends Travis Boak and Justin Westhoff, but concussion issues and a knee injury meant he only played 11 games.
To finally get there, and do so with players like Boak and Westhoff, who have been at the club since he arrived, means the day carries more significance.
“We’ve got a really strong group at the moment and I think a lot of those guys have really paved the way for the young guys coming through as well,” he explained.
“Boaky and Westy had their 250th last year as well so to be able to celebrate them was fantastic, and Hartsy (Hamish Hartlett) and TJ (Tom Jonas) and Robbie (Gray), those guys are the ones who have been along for the journey so far here at Port.
“They’re good friends and it’s good running out with them.”
Fit, firing and spending his time between forward and midfield, Ebert has been in good form so far this season, averaging 17.3 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and a goal per game.
With numbers like that, is he already thinking about getting to 300 games?
Not just yet.
“I think I’ll just get through 250,” he laughed humbly.
“It’d be great to keep kicking and keep playing ‘til 300, but let’s just see what happens.”
