EBERT USES EXPERIENCE TO BE FORCE AGAIN
A LOT in the footy world has changed since pre-season.
The AFL season has been paused and resumed, crowds have been barred at most games, quarters were shortened, now every Victorian team faces playing interstate for the rest of the season.
And after some serious questions were raised about whether he had a place in
Port Adelaide’s best 22, Brad Ebert is back to his dangerous best for the Power.
Concussion symptoms that lingered longer than expected and then a PCL injury cruelled Ebert’s 2019 for a club in which his name is worshipped.
But in Port’s pre-season it seemed as if the glut of promising talent at the Power would squeeze the former vice-captain out of the senior side. He played in the under23 trial game against Adelaide at Thebarton Oval at the request of coaches, still wearing a helmet and then only was called upon for a half in the Power’s final pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs in Whyalla.
On the eve of the season the 30-year-old himself conceded he was in a struggle for one of the last spots in Port’s team.
But luck struck twice for Ebert.
First Charlie Dixon’s adductor niggle suffered in that game at Whyalla gave him a spot in the senior side for Round 1 against the Gold Coast Suns.
He took that chance with both hands, finishing with 20 disposals, six tackles and a goal.
Ebert then suffered another knee injury in that match against the Suns but the suspension of the AFL season meant it did not cost him any games.
And his form has been back at the levels it was in 2017 and 2018.
In 2020 he is averaging 16.6 disposals a game, 10.8 uncontested possessions and six marks to go along with 109 ranking points.
Port plays GWS at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.