Ebert happy at the Port
On the eve of playing against his former side, Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert says his move to the Power was the right decision for his career.
BRAD EBERT was a highly rated young talent who made national headlines when he departed the West Coast Eagles to the Power last summer, but for the Port native it is a decision that he remains completely happy with.
The Ebert name is synonymous with the Port Adelaide Football Club, but in the professional age of AFL football Brad took a risk in returning home from an Eagles side that made last year’s preliminary final and is expected to finish top four in 2012.
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He has shown all the signs of a man dedicated to the Port however, having been named in the Power’s best players almost every game this year and is starting to see the promise in his new team develop.
“I’m really enjoying playing at Port and obviously we’re still struggling a little bit but I can see the wheel turning … things will turn,” said Ebert.
Ebert plays his first game against his old side this weekend but says that despite the friendships he forged at the Eagles and his hope that he’ll rekindle them after Sunday’s match, he is firmly focussed on the task at hand.
“I liked my time at West Coast and appreciate everything they did for me - it’ll be an interesting game,” he said.
“I haven’t actually spoken to anyone [from West Coast] as yet but I was probably going to send out a couple of texties [sic] today and just say “G’day” and see how they are.
“I’ve still got a few mates there, but we’re mates off field and we’ll just play footy on field.”
Despite having spent four years at the Eagles, the 22-year-old told the media at Port Adelaide’s closed training at AAMI Stadium that there is little ‘inside information’ that he can provide to caretaker coach Garry Hocking.
“By round 21 they’ve probably changed the way they’re playing, I’ve watched them a few times and they’ve changed what they were doing from last year and evolved,” he said.
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“We’ve made a big focus on understanding the opposition but [also] going in with a big focus on how we want to play, how we’re training, how we’re preparing.”
After the Power let a close margin against premiership favourites Hawthorn slip away last weekend, Ebert said that his teammates remain focussed in playing games on their own terms and that Garry Hocking has placed winning at the forefront of their minds.
“We’ll go in knowing what the opposition are trying to do but most importantly what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“Garry has come in and he’s been really good, being real honest with the players.
"We want to win - that’s the first and foremost thing.”
Port Adelaide hosts West Coast at AAMI Stadium on Sunday 19 August at 12.40pm.
