The Ebert family story has a new chapter at the Port Adelaide Football Club, with talented midfielder Brad Ebert joining the Power under a multi-club trade deal finalised today.
Port Adelaide general manager - football, Peter Rohde, said the club is delighted that Brad has chosen to become part of the Power’s strong group of young players, including the recently re-signed Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Matthew Lobbe, Andrew Moore and John Butcher.
“Brad is the perfect addition to our midfield and exactly what we were after,” Rohde said.
PTV: Brad Ebert Highlights
“He’s played nearly 80 games with West Coast and shown his ability at the elite level. He’s got a strong body and is a great long-term prospect for our club. It’s great to have such a talented first round draftee attracted to Port Adelaide.”
It marks a return to Alberton for Ebert, who was recruited by West Coast as a 17-year-old in the 2007 AFL National Draft (No. 13 overall).
In addition to the powerfully-built 21 year-old, Port Adelaide gets West Coast’s number 45 pick at the 2011 AFL National Draft. In return, the Power gives West Coast its number 28 priority selection along with the number 49 pick it has received from Greater Western Sydney for former Power veterans Chad Cornes and Dean Brogan. Port Adelaide also gave GWS its number 69 selection
Ebert returns to Alberton with valuable AFL experience, having played 76 games in four seasons with the Eagles. In 2011 he played 22 games, including the qualifying final.
“Ever since he was drafted, we kept up contact with Brad and have maintained an interest in getting him to Port Adelaide,” Rohde said.
“This year, Brad was very keen to come back to Port Adelaide to further develop his career at a club he knows and where he has family connections. Combine those links with his talent, experience and full potential, and he is an outstanding acquisition in every respect.”
Power coach Matthew Primus welcomed Ebert, declaring him a potential future leader.
“Brad certainly has what we were after in that he’s a strong-bodied midfielder who’s really competitive,” Primus said.
“We see it as a real coup getting such a strong player and one who can play a lot in the midfield. As well as that he’s played a lot of footy for a young guy.
“We think he’s going to bring a lot to our club. He’s certainly a potential leader.”
Ebert’s signing extends one of the proudest family connections at Port Adelaide, with Brad re-uniting with his cousin, Brett, who re-committed to the Power last week after playing his 150th game in Round 24.
Brad’s father Craig played 112 games with the Magpies while his uncle, Russell (Brett’s father), played a club-record 392 games for the Magpies, winning an unprecedented four Magarey Medals.
Before being recruited by West Coast, Brad played 5 SANFL League games with Port Adelaide in 2007, having played a limited number of Under-17 games while also representing St Michael’s College.
Among Brad’s other honours was captaining South Australia at the 2007 Under-18 National Championships.
Rohde said the club was pleased to give Cornes and Brogan the opportunity to pursue their options at Greater Western Sydney, and at the same time achieve a valuable outcome for Port Adelaide.
“As far as we were concerned earlier in the year, Chad and Broges had retired,” Rohde said.
“So when it became known to us their careers might be extended, it was in Port Adelaide’s interests to fight for whatever we could get in return.
“Essentially, the negotiations triggered a chain of trades that also delivered Port Adelaide the Eagles’ number 45 pick in the draft along with Brad. It’s a bonus for us as we look to develop our list.”
Port Adelaide will have picks 6, 45, 51 and 87 at the AFL National Draft on Thursday 24 November.
