Ebert at Port Adelaide until 2008

One of Port Adelaide’s most improved players in the second half of 2006, Brett Ebert, has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

The 22-year-old’s new deal will keep him at the club where his father Russell played 392 games, until 2008.

“I love the club, I love being part of the tradition of the club,” the Power’s only father-son draftee said.

“We’ve got a great squad and some great young guys coming through. We’ve got awesome leaders here and in the next few years I reckon we’re going to have some success.

“So for those reasons I’m really pleased to have signed on for two more years.”

Ebert was drafted via the father-son rule in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft. He won the SANFL’s Magarey Medal in his first season on the Power’s list before making his AFL debut in 2004, when he was also an emergency in the Power’s grand final side.

He played predominantly with the Power in 2005 and 2006, reached his 50th AFL game in Round 18 this year, and took his football to a new level late in the season, including receiving three Brownlow votes in the Power’s stunning Round 21 Showdown win.

“I finished off the season alright and I want to take that into next year,” Ebert said. “I want to keep improving and play every game next year and play some consistent football.”

Power coach Mark Williams said he was hopeful Ebert would continue to flourish through his new contract.

“Brett’s worked really hard to keep improving and it is to his credit that he has earned his new deal,” Williams said.

“It usually isn’t until players reach 50 to 100 games that they start to show their best stuff and having already seen what Brett can do, we really look forward to his progress over the next two years.

“I know our supporters enjoy that little bit of tradition with having the Ebert name on our list and we certainly see the traditional Ebert traits in Brett with his great hands and marking ability.”