Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert watches on as grandson Albert kicks 16 goals for SMOSH West Lakes

With his legendary grandfather watching on, young Albert Ebert lived up to the family name with a remarkable performance at West Lakes.

They are South Australian football royalty with a long list of remarkable moments, but Sunday was as special a day as any for the Ebert family.

The next generation of Ebert – 15-year-old Albert – made his mark with an incredible 16 goals for SMOSH West Lakes in an under-15 match.

To make the occasion even more meaningful, grandfather Russell, the Port Adelaide legend who is battling blood cancer, watched on as his grandson set the ground alight.

Albert’s haul of 16.4 amounted to 100 points of his side’s thumping 23.12 (150) to 1.2 (8) win over Broadview at West Lakes Shore Oval.

Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert and grandson Albert Ebert. Russell watched on from the car on Sunday as Albert kicked 16 goals for SMOSH West Lakes in an under-15 match. Picture: SMOSH West Lakes Football Club

Albert Ebert is chaired off after his incredible game. Picture: SMOSH West Lakes Football Club

While Russell was only able to watch from the car due to his illness, Albert said his personal-best haul meant even more with his grandfather watching.

“Luckily he could come out and watch from the car and see me play a great game,” Albert said.

“Afterwards he told me how proud of me he was.

“I’m not sure how I did it in the end, I just kept on kicking them I guess.

“I think my best before might have been eight or nine, definitely not 16.

“I was a bit in disbelief, I just couldn’t believe I kicked so many.”

Russell would regularly watch Albert and his other grandchildren’s sporting matches before he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in December.

Port Adelaide Football Club great Russell Ebert spoke publicly in June for the first time since his cancer diagnosis. Picture: PAFC

Since then the Australian Football Hall of Fame member and four-time Magarey Medallist’s ongoing treatment has restricted his ability to attend.

Albert’s father Ben Ebert said Sunday was a ray of sunshine during a difficult time for the family.

“It’s been a pretty tough time with everything dad’s going through,” Ben said.

“He’s really positive about it and keeps fighting on, but it has been tough.

“So for a day like that, we all just enjoyed it and had a great day.

“I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face ever since.”

Russell Ebert won three SANFL premierships with the Magpies as well as a record four Magarey Medals. Picture: Advertiser Library

Albert kicked three majors in each of the first three quarters before slamming on seven in the final term through a range of avenues to goal.

SMOSH West Lakes assistant coach Peter Catton said the young gun also passed plenty scoring opportunities off to his teammates.

“As coaches in junior footy, we typically rotate players around and if one kid was dominating we would give another kid a chance to kick a couple of goals,” Catton said.

“We were wining the game reasonably comfortably but, given the circumstances, the coach and I said ‘let him have a special day for grandad’.

“It was a very special day for the Ebert family I think.”

Widely regarded as one of South Australia’s greatest footballers, Russell spoke in his first public interview in June since being diagnosed.

The 71-year-old called his blood cancer diagnosis “a big shock to the system” that has made him appreciate each day as it comes.