Port Adelaide’s first-ever father-son selection Brett Ebert looks back on his first game for the Power back in 2004

He holds arguably Port Adelaide’s most famous name, now, Brett Ebert looks back at his 2004 debut with the club’s AFL side and becoming its first ever father-son selection.

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Russell Ebert is arguably Port Adelaide’s greatest ever player – four Magarey Medals, three premierships, six best and fairests and much more.

When it was time for his son, Brett, to represent the same club as its first ever father-son selection, there was much anticipation from the fan base.

Yet it wasn’t easy for the younger Ebert, who was drafted in 2002, but didn’t debut until round two of 2004 against West Coast.

“I was about 2 or 3 when dad finished playing footy so I never got to see him play, obviously all the supporters and people involved with the club spoke a lot about dad, he was happy that I could represent the club and make him proud,” he said.

“There was possibly a little bit of added pressure but you’re young so you don’t focus on that too much, I wanted to get out there and had a kick.

Brett Ebert with legendary father Russell in 2002 after he was drafted.

“I missed out on playing all 2003 playing in the SANFL, so it was more excitement.”

Despite not getting a crack in the Power’s side in 2003 as it finished as minor premier before crashing out in the preliminary final for the second successive season, Ebert went on to add another Magarey Medal to the Ebert family collection.

“It was fantastic,” he said.

“The Maggies, we didn’t have a great season on-field, but it was great to be on the list and it was a huge advantage having the great coaches there and a having a good pre-season.”

However, when the opportunity came around to finally pull on the Power jumper, Ebert was a mixture of excitement and nerves.

“I remember playing over in Western Australia, I had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of 2003, so my first game I was allowed to play back was that one,” he said.

“I missed round one and played round two.

“We won by about three points, I reckon it was Chad Cornes’ 100th game.

“I remember a huge crowd, the main thing I remember was at the end when it was so loud you couldn’t even talk to each other on the field.

“I was playing on the wing and I was trying to call someone in the middle, but you couldn’t actually hear each other.

Brett Ebert (centre with mother Dian and father Russell after winning the Magarey Medal in 2003.

“Representing the club was awesome.”

Ebert went on to play 16 games and booted 17 goals in his first season with the Power and said he was relaxed after getting his first game out the way.

“SANFL level was nice to get involved with the Magpies but to play that first game, you want to get that out the way,” he said.

“There were a lot of nerves, but it was good to play away from South Australia, there was probably a little bit pressure on I suppose.

“I didn’t feel it (pressure) at all when I got back the next week, it was just about getting that first game out the way and to have the win as well.

“I can’t remember how I played, I probably played pretty average.”

Ebert retired at the end of 2013 due to a series of injuries after 240 goals in 166 games for the Power.

Yet, it had been 17 years since Port Adelaide snapped up a father-son selection, until last year when the Power picked up Darren Mead’s son Jackson and Peter Burgoyne’s lad Trent.

Ebert said he’d had a bit to do with them growing up and had been in touch with them since they were drafted.

Brett Ebert in action during his debut match against West Coast.

“I’ve known Jackson for a fair while now through ‘Meady’ when he was involved at SMOSH West Lakes,” he said.

“Trent I actually coached the under 13s at the Magpies, so I followed him as well.

“I’ve seen them down the club a fair bit, I work with the AFLPA as a past player, I’ve spoken to both of them and congratulated them and said obviously, make your dads proud and your family proud.

“Again they’re their own player as well, Jackson’s a different player to Darren and Trent plays a bit different to Peter.

“The supporters will be watching quite close and hoping they can emulate a bit of what their dads did back in the day.

“They’re both quite professional and from good old Henley High School, so they’re probably good mates too.

“It’s good to get a few father/sons drafted for the club and hopefully see them in the club’s next premierships.”