Two proud Alberton family histories as Brad Ebert plays 200th game

THE kid who used to dress up as batman, run around the backyard in tiny footy boots and shadow his older cousin is now a real-life superhero at the club he was always destined to play for.

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert with wife Bec and four-week-old son Leo at home ahead of his 200th game.

THE kid who used to dress up as batman, run around the backyard in tiny footy boots and shadow his older cousin everywhere he went is now a real-life superhero at the club he was always destined to play for.

When Brad Ebert runs onto Adelaide Oval for his 200th AFL game on Thursday night he not only fullfills a recruiter’s destiny when he was drafted but he lives a family tradition at Alberton going back 85 years to his great grandfather Ken Obst.

Ebert’s father Craig still has a newspaper clipping at home from 27 years ago which heralded the arrival of baby Bradley, born to two famous Port Adelaide families being the Ebert’s and the Obst’s.

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert relaxing on the beach near his home before being drafted.

The significance of that little piece of paper hasn’t been lost on Craig who has watched Ebert grow up to become a father in his own right and now a member of football’s 200 club.

“When Bradley was drafted (in 2007) one of the recruiters said to us ‘we think he’ll be a 200-game player’ and you hope that might be the case but that’s how it’s turned out,” Craig said.

“It was hard watching him go to West Coast because he was a 17-year-old kid but that helped him to learn and grow up pretty quickly.

“It’s amazing how quickly everything goes. We have the old photo albums at home with the kids in the backyard and Bradley is wearing a footy jumper with little kid-sized boots.

“And when you’re mucking around with them as kids you never think they’re going to get to this stage so we’re just very proud of him.”

Ebert’s cousin Brett, who played 166 games with the Power and won a Magarey Medal with the Magpies, remembers Ebert - seven years his junior - following his every move as they grew up together.

“He was just like a shadow and would follow us everywhere,” Brett said.

“Whether we were home, away on holidays, up the river, whatever I did, he did, he was a bit like a younger brother.

“He’s always been very competitive but nice and humble, he’s made his mark and has become a natural leader as well.”

Brad Ebert celebrates a goal for West Coast against St Kilda in 2008.

His uncle Russell who played 391 games with Port Adelaide including three flags and four Magarey Medals says he sees the Ebert’s and Obst’s in Brad whenever he plays.

“The thrill I get is knowing both sides of the family, the Ebert side obviously and the Obst side with his mum Christine,” Russell said.

“When I look at Bradley I see both sides because Ken (Obst) and I had a number of chats and I played with Peter and Trevor (Obst).

“Bradley and his sister Ashleigh with her netball - to see what they’ve done is an absolute thrill.”

Ebert was a highly rated junior and drafted by the Eagles with Pick No.13 in 2007, and returned to Port Adelaide four years and 76 games later.

“I loved doing my time (at West Coast) and they are a great club so whenever I can I thank them for that,” Ebert said this week.

“But to be able to play for Port Adelaide is a dream come true, as a kid you’re always hoping to play for that club you support and I was able to come back and do that.

“I’ve been loving my time here and over the years you see a fair bit of growth in this place.

“I came in 2012 and as a footy club we were battling a fair bit then J-Mac (John McCarthy) passed away which was a horrible time for everyone.

“But you’ve seen where the club has been able to get to, on-field we’re starting to play some good footy again and off-field to see where the club has been able to get to, you feel like you’ve been able to help along the way.”

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert plays his 200th AFL match on Thursday night against Hawthorn.

While Ebert is in the prime of his career, the family tradition at Port Adelaide might yet continue for many years to come after he and wife Bec welcomed their first child, son Leo, last month.

That his first child was a boy would have no doubt warmed the hearts of Port Adelaide supporters across the country.

“Yeah I got a few comments on Facebook and Instagram,” Ebert said with a smile.

But he said there is no way he can compare football to fatherhood.

“Having my first child was the greatest thing I can think of, that was the greatest day of my life, and to compare footy to that is probably not there,” Ebert said.

“It’s been a good month with Leo, you can tell by my weary answers I’m not getting the most sleep but Bec has been looking after him brilliantly and the night before games I try to get a good night sleep, the rest of the time you’re up and down a little bit.

“You’re enjoying what you’re doing and seeing Leo grow has been brilliant.”

Fatherhood obviously agrees with Ebert who is playing career-best footy by leading a Power resurgence in the midfield this season.

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert with wife Bec and four-week-old son Leo at home ahead of his 200th game.

At 27 his body has fully matured and he is relishing his role as a battering ram for the Power which hosts Hawthorn in a crucial match tonight.

“I feel like I’m playing some good football, consistently I’ve been able to string a few games together,” he said.

“I guess it’s up to you guys (media) to say whether it’s career best or not but you sort of just play and try to do what we’re needing in the midfield.

“Playing finals footy is what you want and what you want to achieve is an AFL premiership, we haven’t been able to do that yet.

“That’s the time of year you play for.”

Ebert is one of Port Adelaide’s off-contract stars this season but fans need not worry because he isn’t going anywhere in a hurry.

“The club were going to wait until the mid point of the year before going down that path and I’m not too worried about where that’s at,” he said.

“I’ve loved playing for this footy club and the sooner a deal can get done the better, it would be brilliant to see out my career here.”

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