AS THE son of one of the greatest footballers South Australia has ever produced, it’s hard to imagine that Brett Ebert never thought he would play at the elite level.

But as a 17-year-old struggling with injury in the SA Amateur League, the odds were stacking up against him.

Fast-forward eight years and another Ebert is about to have his name printed on a locker at Alberton.

On Sunday, Ebert will run out onto Subiaco Oval in his 100th game for the Power and the pint-sized forward said he was genuinely excited about the occasion.

"I get my name on the locker and, seeing as I didn’t even think I was going to play AFL, this is a massive bonus," Ebert said.

"I’ve worked pretty hard over the years and done what the coaches have said. Now, to play my 100th game with the other [milestone] guys, Chad Cornes and Shaun Burgoyne, it’s going to be great. If Toby Thurstans gets picked, it will be great for him as well after missing out last week.

"My first game was Chad’s 100th in Perth and my 50th was Shaun’s 100th, so it’s interesting how it’s worked out."

Ebert played for father Russell's old side, the Port Adelaide Magpies, as a 16-year-old, but didn’t develop into an AFL prospect until years later.

"I was struggling when I was 16 or 17 and I didn’t think I was going to make it to the AFL," Ebert said.

"My body was letting me down. It wasn’t my shoulders, but my hamstring, my back and other little niggles. I was actually playing amateurs at SMOSH (Saint Michaels Old Scholars and Hindmarsh) West Lakes when I was 17, so I was a long way away.

"But I had real solid year with the Magpies in 2002 and was lucky enough to get drafted."

Ebert remains Port Adelaide’s sole father-son selection to date, picked at No. 42 in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft.

He failed to play a game in his first year with the Power, despite dominating in the SANFL to the extent that he was awarded the Magarey Medal.

In 2004, he was crowned best first year player at Alberton after 16 games, but watched on as an emergency as his teammates took out the club’s first premiership.

"2003 was a tough year, but an enjoyable one. I improved a lot in terms of my skills and just had to work hard to get it (my spot). It just spurred me on to get there," Ebert said.

"In 2004, I got to join in all the lead-up to the grand final, like the motorcade and everything, but didn’t get to play. It was tough, having played a lot of the year, but I guess you just have to bide your time and, once you get in the side, do everything you can not to get taken out again."

The booming left-footer continued to evolve as a player in the years that followed and, in 2007, took out the club’s goalkicking with a return of 56.

He was only two when Russell retired, but coach Mark Williams said it had still been a challenge for Ebert to grow up as the ‘son of’.

"The thing that stands out for both Brett and Chad Cornes is that they have had to grow up in the shadows of their fathers with great reputations," Williams said.

"It’s a difficult gig and it’s one that I’ve had to deal with as well. I’m thrilled to think they can emulate and push the limits of their fathers’ success."