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BRAD Ebert's 14 tackles last Saturday night against Carlton came tantalisingly close to Port Adelaide's highest tackle count in the AFL.

Since coming home to Alberton, Ebert has led the club's tackle count in 5 out of 10 games - four of which have been wins.

His performance on Saturday night was one wrap-around short of captain Dom Cassisi's record of 15 in the club's win over West Coast in Round 16, 2009.

Power coach Matthew Primus highlighted Ebert's high-pressure acts as adding a third element on the field to two other high-tackling players in Port Adelaide's side.


"Dom [Cassisi] has had big numbers before, Matty Thomas has probably had big numbers but whatever 'Ebo' had against Carlton - 14 was it? That's certainly pretty big," said Primus.

Primus has called on his players to heap pressure on the opposition throughout season 2012 and says Ebert's performance on Saturday night was an asset in the Port midfield.

"It's probably not sustainable doing that kind of stuff [such high tackle numbers] every week, but Brad's effort certainly allowed [Matthew] Broadbent and Hamish [Hartlett] play a bit more outside and get a lot more of the ball."

[ Video: Matt's Coach's Corner on defensive pressure ]

"Brad certainly did a fair bit of grunt work for us on Saturday night so another performance like that from him, or any of our other midfielders, will certainly be handy."