Image: australianfootball.com
My first encounter with that famous No. 7 Port Adelaide guernsey was from the back as the 20-year-old country lad rose above the pack at Unley Oval on Saturday, the 6th of June 1970. Port Adelaide had held their own against that mighty Sturt line-up destined for multiple premiership flags but after half-time the Double Blue machine purred to a 41-point victory.
I don’t believe that most people’s memories of Russell Ebert remember him as a high-flying mark. At 183cm and 90kg, his strong body was superbly suited to the ground ball. In every way he was a ball-magnet, but capable both on the inside and out. His football nous and stamina simply got him into the right place at the right time, and his exquisite skillset meant that no matter which side he used, he would hit up a lead almost unerringly.
Flying high against Sturt (i)
It’s easy as a spectator and commentator to see where players are running, but so much more difficult at ground level. Under the physical pressure of opponents, a maze of bodies, on imperfect surfaces, and in that micro-second, to watch Russell execute a visionary pass to a teammate who didn’t need to break stride was just sublime.
It reached a point that when Russell Ebert got the ball you knew the outcome would be positive.
Russell Ebert was also consistent. I can’t remember a poor game or him ever questioning an umpire’s decision.
On reflecting, I think that the only time that Russell spoiled his otherwise god-like status in my eyes was at the post-game celebrations after winning the 1977 Grand Final. It had taken Russell ten years to get on to that podium and he shouted into the microphone, ‘It has taken us a bloody long time but, by gee, it was worth it!’ I just didn’t think that Russell could swear!
Few have stayed more loyal to a club, worked for charities, mentored younger players or won so many accolades but, in the end, I admired Russell Ebert for just being a good human being.
I got to appreciate him even more as he continued to be down-to-earth, humble and gracious. He really never played the ego card. When my wife, Marlene, and I went to a pre-season internal ‘practice match’ (to see how good a rookie called Ollie Wines was at the time), we chatted to Russell. He was interested in us. Humble and selfless in everything he did, Russell always put others before himself.
And then, a few years later, I attended a Port Adelaide day where all of the coaches explained their roles. It was an eye-opener to see how professional footy has become. And Russell was there … moving the wheelie bins around Alberton Oval!
He is one of the few heroes of mine who has retained that status. Vale Russell Ebert and thank you for the example you set.
PS As a VFL Melbourne Demon supporter, I had come to Adelaide to study, boarded in the Unley area, and was surrounded by new friends who were all enamoured with Sturt. It made sense. But somehow Russell Ebert, Peter Woite, their fighting spirit, and the underdog sentiment got under my skin and I’ve been an ardent Magpie supporter ever since.
To read about Russell Ebert’s life and career click HERE.
Click this link to read about the 1977 SANFL Grand Final
Read Swish Schwerdt’s tribute and profile HERE
(i) Image: adelaidenow.com.au
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About
Born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, my parents migrated to this wonderful country when I was 7. As teachers, my wife and I ‘worked’ in some pretty SA and Queensland tourist locations and ended up in the Barossa Valley, where I enjoy gardening, socialising, reading, writing, sport, travel, handyman projects and wine. Since retiring I’ve written 3 published biographies about Kieran Modra, Rolph and Marg Mayer and Margaret Ames. I started a Valley social cycling and coffee-ing club called the ‘Sprocket Rockets’ https://www.facebook.com/cyclingfunbarossa/ After some success at hockey, volleyball, tennis, golf, Church picnic sprints and the ‘Henley on Todd’ regatta, I’ve settled down to walking, cycling, Fantasy Football and watching sport, particularly AFL and cricket. A Queenslander described me as an ‘Ex-Pommie, ex-Victorian who barracks for Port Adelaide’ so it can only be up from there!
Russell was a truly remarkable selfless man if you were involved in any charities-sick kids they’re was no way that you weren’t going to meet,Russell just so giving of his time immense respect.
Brilliant footballer even better person – LEGEND RIP
Russell Ebert always seemed to have that extra split-second of time when under pressure, great vision and superb skills. Strong overhead as well. He was an absolute champion in every sense.
I recall seeing Russell (at a distance) when I was in the children’s hospital during the 1980 post-season. He had just won his fourth Margarey Medal, another premiership with Port, and played in the end of season interstate carnival, yet he still found time to make a hospital visit to a sick kid.
Andy, as a life long Norwood supporter, I can’t honestly say I share your affection and admiration for Port Adelaide, but I certainly do for Russell. A magnificent footballer, scrupulously fair, and an even better human being off the field. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest In Peace Russell.
Very well summed up Andy. I’ve never heard anything but praise for Russell.
To quote one of his contemporaries, he was a Giant of a man in many ways.
Andy, You know I dislike everything Port Adelaide but it’s very sad to hear of Russell Ebert’s passing at just 72. I always thought, and still do, that Barrie Robran was marginally better and that Paul Bagshaw was Ebert’s equal (in a different way). Together with Malcolm Blight, they were the greatest SA players of their generation.
Ebert was a true champion. Relentless, courageous, skilful, quick between the ears, two-sided, inspirational, rugged, etc – everything that was the very best of Port, and of football. If only he had played for Sturt! Imagine a first ruck of Davies, Bagshaw and Nunan with Ebert in the centre! Unbeatable. The passing years give one a better perspective – thankfully.
Having left Adelaide a long time ago, I was not aware of Ebert’s wide-ranging service to the club and wider community over the decades. As many have commented, he was as much a wonderful human being as he was a footy player.
There’s an old adage along the lines of ‘never meet your heroes because you’ll be disappointed’. Sounds like your personal experiences showed that RE was the exception to the rule.
Would you believe that ABCTV News Brisbane even did coverage of his passing tonight? Now that says something about the respect Ebert engendered in the sports world!
Thanks Andy.
How we come to know and appreciate sportspeople is always a story worth telling. Why we relate to them fascinates me.
As a kid in Queensland, I kept an eye on SANFL footy because Dad had been to Concordia and followed Sturt, Unley Oval being in that neck of the woods and some of his classmates winding up pulling on the Double Blues’ jumper.
The Australian’s Monday ‘Scoreboard’ facilitated that and I got to know the names of the players. We didn’t ever see state games on TV Up North, but read the reports,and sensed the Croweater-Big V rivalry.
Names would bob up – players heading to the VFL. Like Blight. But Russell Ebert and Barrie Robran epitomised SA footy. Later, when I had more to do with SA, it was MacIntosh and Aish and Grenville (one name required) and Carey and co, and then there was that whole crew who headed to Melbourne.
SA footy was full of character and substance and it was players like Russell Ebert who were at the heart of that. I like that he stayed at Port except for his brief stint at the Roos.
I think there is a strong argument that the SANFL’s capacity to remain a meaningful and viable competition today (in the face of mass media and mass commercialisation and mass promotion of the AFL) can be attributed to the foundation built by the forebears and especially, in the time of change to national focus, by people like Russell Ebert. That is one of his many accomplishments and one where he could walk in both worlds, given the place of the next Ebert generation in the AFL.
I never met Russell, but I have heard many, many wonderful things from those who knew him.
Vale Russell Ebert.
Thanks for this, Andy. Beautiful memories.
Vale, Russell Ebert.
Thank you for suggesting I do this, Ian (IJH) … and for all of the comments above.
Well done Swish on a great article.
All sporting codes have their champion people, and the media is just chock full of accolades and tributes for Russell Ebert. That same media is loaded and able to cut down anyone and especially those who have risen to any height. To maintain integrity and humility under this spotlight is becoming extraordinary. To be famous, yet consistently put others around you first, is precious.
I can only imagine that if Russell Ebert is looking down on us now, he would be genuinely surprised at the appreciation of the example he set. Thank you all again.
All of the above . . .