South Australian football legend Russell Ebert has died at the age of 72 after a battle with leukemia.
Ebert, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December last year, passed away at home on Friday surrounded by family.
The former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne midfielder is considered one of the greatest footballers South Australia has ever produced.
He played 392 games and won three premierships for Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
Ebert was also a four-time Magarey Medallist as the SANFL’s best and fairest player.
He played one season for North Melbourne in 1979, helping the VFL club reach the preliminary final.
Just two weeks ago Ebert was elevated to legend status in the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame.
(Photo by Getty Images)
“I’m uncomfortable being elevated above others, but I honestly believe this is about the contribution of my family, the club and community that have contributed along the way,” Ebert said at the time.
“These types of awards are for everyone no matter what small or large part they have played and so I thank everyone for their contribution to my journey and in this acknowledgement.
“They all deserve a piece of the acknowledgement for themselves.”
Ebert is the father of former Port forward Brett Ebert, and the uncle of former West Coast and Port midfielder Brad Ebert.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to Ebert.
“As a young fan of the game in Adelaide, even when watching him as an opposition player, you couldn’t help but admire his high marking, his one-touch ball-gathering, his brilliant attacking handball and his exceptional kicking skills on both sides of his body, as he was taking your side apart,” McLachlan said.
“All while being an incredibly fair player who relied on his skills while being strong and brave.
“The child in me will always admire the great footballer but the adult that I am is in awe of what Russell Ebert was as a man, and his loss after bravely confronting his illness is devastating for his family, for his club, his many fans and for the state of South Australia, where he has given so much.
“He was everything you would hope to be in a man, and perhaps the best of all of us.”
Russell Ebert’s career
392 games for Port Adelaide, 1968-78 and 1980-85, 294 goals
25 games for North Melbourne, 1979, 15 goals
29 games for South Australia
116 games as coach of Port Adelaide, 1983-87
64 games as coach of Woodville, 1988-90
Three games as coach of South Australia, 1996-98
SANFL Premierships: 1977, 1980, 1981
Magarey Medal winner: 1971, 1974, 1976, 1980
Port Adelaide best and fairest: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981
Port Adelaide captain: 1974-78 and 1983-85
Australian Football Hall of Fame (inaugural 1996 inductee)
South Australian Football Hall of Fame (inaugural 2002 inductee)
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
An absolute great even though he played for Port he carried himself with dignity and never played the man. Robran, Paul Bagshaw and Ebert probably the best ever and maybe chuck in a Darren Jarman. Well played Russell. Vale
Nicko
Guest
As a Victorian I knew very little about the SANFL and local legends such as Ebert and Robran. The only time i had any exposure to SA Football was via State of Origin or watching the SANFL GF on ABC when it was telecast into Victoria. In 1991 I moved to SA with my employer and only then did I gain some understanding of the rich history of the competition and appreciate legends such as Ebert and Robran to name a few. I encourage all Australian Rules Football (or is the code now called AFL) supporters to look outside of the AFL to gain some appreciation of how magnificent our game is at a state and suburban level.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If well-endowed, "vain" could be appropriate.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
Vein.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
An absolutely brilliant footballer and exemplary as a man .... RIP Russel Ebert
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Don't feel bad. Elton John was going to kick the gardener out of his party once .... that was until someone else said, "Hey, that's Bob Dylan"
Boo
Guest
As good a ball handler as anyone in the then Vfl .Vale a champion give him a good send off SA .
Danny
Guest
Ashley Mallett and Ebert what a terrible loss for SA and Australia I grew up in the 70s as a parochial Sturt supporter the highlight of the season was always playing Port .... how can we stop Ebert? we hated but respected them and everyone was in awe of Ebert He was the complete player strong fast athletic a fantastic kick...his drop kicks were amazing I never saw him do anything dirty on the field or argue with umpires he was the best and the fairest RIP one of the greats of the game
2cats
Guest
Love a good convo with a rando while draining the main vain. Happy Saturday Brendo :thumbup:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
He had a chat to me at a restaurant I was working at when we were in the Loo, and I was like, who's this crazy old bloke talking to me, and then about a day later I realised it was the great man himself!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A great player and bloke. I hated/still hate Port but had a soft spot for him. He had the freakish ability to handball 30 metres and even 40 metres setting the forwards up for certain goals. They just weren't long but they were accurate.