Concussion concern for Port Adelaide star Brad Ebert after series of head knocks

Port Adelaide veteran Brad Ebert is understood to be considering seeing a neurologist interstate after his latest head knock and has been ruled out of playing against Gold Coast on Sunday.

Port Adelaide training at Alberton Oval. Hamish Hartlett and Robbie Gray — both struggling with injuries. Picture SARAH REED

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Port Adelaide veteran Brad Ebert is understood to be considering seeing a neurologist interstate after his latest head knock and has been ruled out of taking on Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Ebert, who was knocked out of the round seven clash against Collingwood before half-time and ruled out of Showdown 46 five days before the game, is reportedly concerned about a series of head knocks which have taken their toll on him this season.

He was felled twice against the Magpies and while he was not knocked unconscious the heavy hits clearly took their toll, resulting in the Power making an early call on his fitness before the Showdown.

The 29-year-old veteran of 242 games has a history of head knocks and jokes about how easily he bleeds from cuts to his head and face.

Ken Hinkley on Tuesday morning ruled him out for the Suns clash.

Brad Ebert and Sam Powell-Pepper tackle Darcy Moore during the Collingwood game where he received two knocks to the head. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Power midfielder Brad Ebert comes off the ground with the blood rule after a knock to the head in 2016. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Brad will have some more detailed tests to make sure everything’s okay for him and we’re really confident that he’s fine,” Hinkley told SEN Breakfast.

“Brad’s certainly not at high-level risk at this stage so we’ll wait until all those tests come back.

“We suspect probably if everything goes well this week, he’ll be available for the week after.

“It’s a head knock situation, we’re not going to take any risks, we’ll let the medical team tell us exactly where we’re at with that.”

Port assistant coach Brett Montgomery would not shed too much light on Ebert’s status on Monday but said the club would take a conservative approach with the ace forward/midfielder.

“I think our general pastoral care is at such a high level these days that we’re always concerned (about concussions) and also quite prepared to be well led in these types of fields,’’ he said.

Montgomery said he was unaware how many bad head knocks Ebert had been diagnosed with.

“I couldn’t tell you, I haven't been around (Port) long enough,’’ he said.

“I have been told there's been multiple and I do know of the one game (against the Magpies) where he looked like he got two significant ones in a short period of time.

“He was active in the (change) rooms pre-game (against Adelaide), he’s been in and out of the club, so it’s not like he is bedridden.

“We are just making sure that everything is as it should be and we’ll let the experts do that.’’

Co-captain Tom Jonas has ruled himself out of the Suns clash as he struggles to shake off a calf strain while fellow co-captain Ollie Wines will remain sidelined by a broken ankle.

Rebounding defender Ryan Burton will miss up to four weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in the first quarter of the 20-point loss to the Crows.

Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. Picture SARAH REED.

Assistant coach Jarrad Schofield has publicly left the door ajar for star small forward/midfielder Robbie Gray to make a shock return from a broken hand that required surgery after missing just two games.

He had initially been ruled out for four matches.

“The thing that will probably get in the way of Robbie’s quick return would be touch more than anything,’’ Montgomery said.

“I don't think it will have anything to do with his hand because once that cast was off and once he was back moving it again it comes back to pain and touch, so I like that he (Schofield) has left the door open, that’s certainly the way I’m looking at it.’’