Russell Ebert

Russell Ebert (born 22 June 1949) is acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the long history of Australian rules football.

Born in Berri, South Australia, Ebert debuted for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) as an 18 year old in 1968 and immediately made an impression, winning the club leading goalkicking in his debut season. He followed that with a Magarey Medal (awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player in the SANFL) and club Best and Fairest double in 1971 and further honours over the proceeding decade and a half, including premierships in 1977, 1980 and 1981, Magarey Medals in 1974, 1976 and 1980 and club Best and Fairests in 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1981.

Ebert is the only player in the SANFL to have won four Magarey Medals.

Victorian Football League clubs chased Ebert for a decade until North Melbourne finally won his signature and he spent a season with the Kangaroos in 1979 before returning to Port Adelaide, where his 392 games remains a club record.

Ebert captained Port Adelaide from 1974-1978 and 1983-1985, as well as captaining the South Australian side in 1975, 1977 and 1983. Upon his retirement in 1983, Ebert took over the coaching role at Port Adelaide until 1987 and then acted as coach of fellow SANFL side Woodville Football Club from 1988 to 1990.

Ebert's brother Craig also played for Port Adelaide and son Brett currently plays for Port Adelaide in the Australian Football League. Ebert was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Ebert's playing career spanned a total of 451 senior games for Port Adelaide, North Melbourne and South Australian representative. This is estimated to be the seventh highest tally in top-level senior football. [ [http://au.geocities.com/jsmooth_00001/Footyfacts.html AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL FACTS & FEATS: Player Records] ]

Career highlights

Playing career: 1968-1985 (Games: 416 Goals: 310)
* Port Adelaide (SANFL) 1968-1978, 1980-1985 (Games: 391 Goals: 295)
* North Melbourne (VFL) 1979 (Games: 25 Goals: 15)

Player honors:
* Magarey Medal 1971, 1974, 1976, 1980
* Port Adelaide (SANFL) best and fairest 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981
* Port Adelaide (SANFL) leading goalkicker 1968
* Port Adelaide (SANFL) captain 1974-1978
* Port Adelaide (SANFL) premierships 1977, 1980, 1981
* South Australian representative (35 games 0 goals)

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.portmagpies.com.au/ Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club]
* [http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/ Port Adelaide Football Club]
* [http://www.thepowerfromport.com.au/port_sanfl_player_profile.php?action=players&player_id=785 Russell Eberts Profile on The Power From Port]
* [http://prod.www.afl.cfour.com.au/Season2007/Awards/HallofFame/Players/tabid/856/Default.aspx AFL: Hall of Fame]