Toast Vale Russell Ebert

[hey shorty]

One of my best evers.

As well as being a champion footballer he was a champion person

Giving so much of himself

RIP Russell Ebert

Can't add much more to that.

Never saw him play live of course but have seen mountains of footage. In the golden era of SANFL footy he was almost alone on top of the pile.

Also one of the great men off it, did things because he wanted to help people, not because he wanted recognition for it.

I have it on very very good authority that even as late as 8 weeks ago he was visiting other patients in the cancer wards and trying to lift their spirits.

 

[philreich]

Just want to thank all the Crows fans who have visited the Port board to offer their condolences this evening. Fantastic stuff guys, on such a sad day.

 

[baldandbroke]

Did some work with Russell and Paul Weston back in the day, working on coaching young guys on what the champions do differently ... what they see.

I got to sit and watch hours of AFL footage from across multiple decades. I'd never been around that sort of football genius before. I'd spent plenty of time with good footballers from the past at the footy and watching juniors, but Russell was another level. So humble, so easy to talk to, so accessible. Paul was as hero struck as I was, and he had a fair pedigree himself!!

Two of the best footballers I ever spent any real time with in my life were Ron Kneebone and Paul Bagshaw - they both talked about Russell with reverence.

What a great legacy to leave, you can put aside his football completely and he is still so loved for all the most important reasons.

Vale Russell Ebert.

 

[Twist_of_Lemon]

I got to witness his incredible enthusiasm for helping others when he and some Port boys would visit the school I work at a number of times. I would fake-work around the area just so I could listen to the great man. One of those guys where when they speak, you just listen. Problem is you never wanted him to stop!

Vale Russell.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

For as long as I can remember the holy trinity of South Australian footballers has been Ebert-Robran-Blight

 

[spenze]

Sad day, great, great man.

 

[Aussie_boy]

Was fortunate enough to meet him once, and yep he was a ripper bloke. RIP

 

[Sanders]

A guy I worked with in the mid 90’s had a young lad who played footy against one of Ebert’s kids. This was pretty young stuff, early/mid primary age.

The reason I remember this, is the story he told of how Russell was this kind figure, who would stay out of the way, but was always happy to talk to the kids after games, had a smile and a handshake for the parents and was the most lovely and unassuming guy.

the other reason was it stuck out, that a Port guy could be described thus. Reminded me it is just a game

Vale

 

[1970crow]

A true champion on and off the field. Rest In Peace Russell Ebert.

 

[Mutineer]

 

[Dirty Bird]

If you can lead North Melbourne to a Preliminary Final despite not training and FIFOing to games you oughta be good.

 

[Magma]

what's incredible is reading and hearing all the stories about the man. everyone says the exact same thing just in a different scenario. icon, legend, these words just dont seem like they do him justice. the best to ever play on the field, and the off of it too. rest in peace God.

 

[Jars458]

Probably the most admired person in SA football history. Loved by all. Vale.

 

[GROTTO]

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Im sure will be made AFL Legend of the Game next year.

Those achievements are not just on another level, literally peerless.

 

[Mutineer]

 

[GROTTO]

Its not been mentioned on here, am I dreaming or did he invent the "Russel Ebert Handball"?

 

[Sanders]

If I recall correctly, that one year in the VFL at age 29, where he flew in each week and back for games, didn’t train with the team etc

he was the leading possession getter in the league for that year

bloke could play

 

[hey shorty]

Most disposals for North Melbourne, top 5 in the league I think. Huge effort.

 

[John Who]

Best player Sth Aust has produced .....2nd only to Barry Robran (the freak)

In his heyday, would have made Nathan Buckley and Dangerfield look 2nd rate

Have to remember for his modest height of 6' (183cm) .....he was a renowned high mark

And to think training standards back then were nowhere near as strict as it is today. How much better could Russell be? Absolutely amazing player who could do it all in every facet of the game.

When you pass away, and not one opposition supporter has anything negative to say, it means you are truly special. Russell is that special man, and that’s probably a bit of an understatement.

 

[hey shorty]

A former work colleague of mine who played against Russell and with him during state footy said he was the hardest worker of his time by some margin.

Naturally gifted, though he did say he thought there was a handful of players who had similar or even more talent (albeit marginal) but no one worked as hard. Demanded a lot from his team mates but was also the first person to help someone if they were struggling.

 

[1970crow]

A former work colleague of mine who played against Russell and with him during state footy said he was the hardest worker of his time by some margin.

Naturally gifted, though he did say he thought there was a handful of players who had similar or even more talent (albeit marginal) but no one worked as hard. Demanded a lot from his team mates but was also the first person to help someone if they were struggling.

His muscle definition from some of those photos of him wouldn’t be out of place if he was pulling on the boots in 2022.

 

[GROTTO]

His muscle definition from some of those photos of him wouldn’t be out of place if he was pulling on the boots in 2022.

His physical appearance in those highlights looked like a modern day player that was transported into the past.

Its very impressive, when you consider the lack of attention paid to weight training in that era compared to today.

 

[Bay62]

Its not been mentioned on here, am I dreaming or did he invent the "Russel Ebert Handball"?

I believe he did. I can remember him using it and don’t recall seeing anyone else do it.

Arms above the tackle, hands up shoulder high, get the ball moving on. Always on the attack.

 

[jo172]

Imagine getting to the end of a publicly prominent life with literally no one ever having a bad word to say about you.

Shows you the mark of the man in terms of integrity and human decency in every sense.

Too Young to have seen him play but obviously a hell of a player. Even recently could still see the undeniable build of a freak athlete (can see the same in Blight and G Cornes).

World is a significantly worse place for his passing.

 

[CROW in BALI]

One of the greatest footballers this state has produced and certainly one of the finest men . His time as coach was short at WFC but a better role model to young men you would never find. The time on field will be replayed for our memory , but the work he did at not only the Crippled Children’s Association, Minda Home , Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Woodville ******* Centre will never be forgotten by the people he touched.

Vale RE.