Michael Voss pleased with Brad Ebert’s move forward for Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide’s plan to play Brad Ebert up forward has been given an early tick, the veteran midfielder booting three goals in a standout display in the Power’s intraclub match at Alberton.

Port is hoping to see many more goal celebrations from veteran midfielder Brad Ebert. Picture: Sarah Reed

Veteran Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert has been earmarked to play as a forward this season.

After kicking three goals in a standout display in the Power’s intraclub match at Alberton Oval on Friday night, senior assistant coach Michael Voss said the 28-year-old would be perfect for the role as the club tries to improve its forward line pressure and become more unpredictable.

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Port is hoping to see many more goal celebrations from veteran midfielder Brad Ebert. Picture: Sarah Reed

“That’s where he’ll spend the majority of his time,’’ Voss said after Ebert shone in an unfamiliar role inside 50.

“He’ll certainly have some time still through the midfield but he’ll enhance our flexibility up forward and in the midfield.

“We’re fortunate that over a period of time we’ve had guys who have been permanent midfielders (including former captain Travis Boak) who have gone forward and Ebo’s that player now.

“If you look at some of the characteristics he brings, he marks the ball overhead strongly and when the ball hits the deck he covers the ground really, really well.

“It’s not a fun place to play at times, the forward line, because you are asked to run up the field, run back down the field, chase and tackle, try to kick a goal.

“You have to be fit to do that now and Ebo is certainly one of our fittest players.’’

Matthew Broadbent moved well for the Power, after missing the entirety of 2019. Picture: Sarah Reed

Voss said one of the best stories from Port’s intraclub, won by the white team over the black side by 44 points, was the return to fitness and form of half-back flanker Matthew Broadbent, who did not play an AFL game in 2018 because of a bad foot/ankle injury.

“He’s been through an incredible journey so it’s a great story out of the day when you think about it,’’ he said.

“He’s such an important figure for us, he’s so well liked in the locker room and players love playing with him.

“The fact he’s been able to come back, we thought it would probably take quite a while for him to find his feet again.

“But it goes to show that when you’ve got football ability and a bit of football nous you can throw yourself back in there.

“He just reads the game really well, so it’s one of the better stories out of the game, that’s for sure.’’

Port reported no injuries out of the game.

Port midfield coach Michael Voss liked what he saw from the Power’s intraclub match. Picture: Getty Images

SCOREBOARD

WHITE 5.3 7.4 11.5 12.5 (77)

BLACK 0.0 1.1 3.1 5.3 (33)

GOALS

White: Ebert 3, Ryder, Marshall 2, Drew, Mayes, Westhoff, Frampton, Frederick

Black: Davidson, Patmore, Amon, S. Gray, Cox

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