Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert to have one final medical check before being cleared to resume from concussion

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert says he is progressing well from a concerning concussion and hopes to be back on the footy field next weekend.

Brad Ebert at Alberton Oval this week. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

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Port Adelaide veteran Brad Ebert will consult a specialist in Melbourne on Tuesday before being cleared to resume playing.

The 29-year-old, who has missed the past four games because of concussion issues and has been seeing a neurologist in Melbourne, said he is “feeling good’’ and hopes to resume next week, either in the AFL or SANFL.

And he could return to the field wearing a helmet after being laid low by a series of head knocks in the past few years, including four this season which knocked him rotten.

Brad Ebert during at Alberton Oval last week. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

“I feel like I’m progressing well and am pretty much back to normal, full strength really,’’ Ebert told Triple M.

“I trained last Thursday with all the boys who didn’t travel (to China) and again on Tuesday and I hope to play next week.

“I’m heading to Melbourne again next Tuesday to see the specialist, just to make sure I’m okay and to get ticked off by the specialist.

“Hopefully they clear me and I am good to go. If they don't, then obviously I’m back to the drawing board and we’ll start all this (treatment) again.

“But I’m feeling good and whether I return in the AFL or SANFL, we’ll wait and see.’’

The Power has the AFL bye this weekend, following its thumping 70-point win against St Kilda in China which propelled it back into the top eight with a 6-5 win-loss record.

It will return to action against Fremantle in Perth on June 15.

Brad Ebert, typically sporting a bandage around his head, hopes to resume playing from concussion symptoms next week. Picture: SARAH REED

Ebert, a veteran of 242 games and one of Port’s most important players, said he had started trialling a helmet at training but wasn't sure whether he would don it in games.

“We’ll see with that, I’ve sort of got it just to get confident with contact and stuff,’’ he said.

“The specialist was saying it’s really a personal choice. They don't believe it's going to help you (physically) but it might help you feel more confident.

“It’s like strapping your ankles probably, does it do anything, probably not, but everyone does it anyway, so we’ll see with that.’’

Long-time midfielder Ebert enjoyed a strong start to the season after being recast as a forward, kicking 10 goals in seven games while averaging 18 disposals before being concussed again against Collingwood in round seven and being ruled out of the game at half-time.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said the club would not take any risks with Ebert’s health.

“It’s a head knock situation, so we’re not going to take any risks,’’ he said.

“We will let the medical team tell us exactly where we’re at with that.”

Port is getting key players back from injury, with co-captain Ollie Wines (broken ankle) and ace forward Charlie Dixon (broken leg) poised to return in the SANFL on Saturday against Sturt at Alberton Oval.