Satisfying a curiosity

[Genesis67]

Hi guys

Just a quick question to anyone who may have seen Russell and Craig Ebert play for the Port Adelaide. Was marking one of their strengths?

What little I've seen of Brett Ebert, he seems to be an excellent mark, especially overhead, for someone his size. Now, it seems Brad is as well.

Is it a trait that's run in the family? I'm just curious.

Cheers!

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Russell's marking was one of his great strengths as was his handballing. He had huge hands that could grab the top of the ball and hold it in one hand. He was the first player I saw who would raise his hands above the tacklers arms and handball the ball away whilst being tackled. Like all of the great modern players of the last 10 to 15 years do so well.

If you saw Kouta play at his best, he would regularly pick the ball up one handed from the top of the ball, not scoop it up when it was on the ground and allow him to dispose of the ball quicker than if he used two. He is the closest I have seen to what Russell would do.

I don't recall Craig being an outstanding mark.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

The Eberts are all naturally strong guys. Russell at 185cm and 90 something kg (depending on time of season and phase of his career) had the opportunity to show some strong overhead marking ability. He really could play any position on the ground - played full forward when he first arrived (won leading goalkicker for the club in 1968 with 44), won 4 Magarey Medals as a centreman/on-baller, also played CHB and CHF and finished up his career as a forward pocket foil to our all-time leading goalkicker Tim Evans. Craig was a bit shorter, more the Collingwood 6 footer type, so generally played more in a crumbing role. But he had strong hands too.

Brett has a freakish vertical leap that makes him play more like a 190cm marking player, while Brad's more Russell's height.

 

[Genesis67]

Thanks!

Question answered