Ebert joins Jackson Trengove, Alipate Carlile, Jay Schulz, Andrew Moore, Matthew Lobbe, Justin Westhoff and John Butcher who have all committed to the club in the last part of the season.
Ebert arrived at Alberton via the 2002 AFL National Draft as a third round father-son selection. His father Russell played a club record 392 games for the Magpies in the SANFL winning four Magarey Medals.
Ebert, who himself won a Magarey Medal for Port Adelaide in 2003, played his 150th game for the Power in the club’s recent historic Round 24 win over Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.
The 27 year-old was restricted to 12 games in season 2011 after recovering from LARS surgery as a result of a knee injury suffered in Round 21 2010. Ebert was also struck down by a virus and subsequently had his tonsils removed which significantly interrupted his pre-season campaign.
Port Adelaide senior coach Matthew Primus says the club is delighted to have re-secured Ebert’s signature and he looks forward to him building his endurance through a big pre-season.
“It’s terrific to keep Brett here at the club and we look forward to working together to continue his development,” Primus said.
“It’s been well documented that Brett had a significantly interrupted pre-season coming off knee surgery and a virus which disrupted his whole year. However he finished off the year in very pleasing fashion and we’re looking forward to him now becoming a very consistent player.”
Primus says that he’s also looking forward to Ebert further developing as a midfield option.
“I think Brett grew in his role this year playing a bit more through the midfield and we’ll be looking forward to him continually improving in that role next year by being more consistent and dynamic. And that starts with a solid pre-season where we’ll be looking to work on his endurance levels.”
Ebert says he’s excited to continue his career at Port Adelaide and would love to be a one-club player.
“It’s great to be able to sign on and stay here at the Power,” Ebert said.
“I’ve been here nine years now and made some really good friends over the journey. I would love to be a one-club player and help us get back up to where we belong.”
Ebert is looking forward to having a strong pre-season so that he can improve his aerobic fitness base to give him an opportunity to play through the midfield.
“I played catch-up all of this year after only getting a short pre-season under my belt,” Ebert said.
“So I’m looking to have a solid pre-season. The knee and the whole body feel good, so I can’t wait to get out there again with the boys. I really want to work on my aerobic fitness because I’d like to play a bit more through the midfield next season and that’s definitely something I can work on with a full pre-season.”
Ebert says he’s very optimistic of the club’s future and has great confidence in the direction senior coach Matthew Primus is taking the group.
“I’m very confident in our direction under Matty and I’m looking forward to being part of our exciting young list as we look to improve as a group and return this club to playing finals football in the foreseeable future,” Ebert said.
