PORT ADELAIDE will face winless West Adelaide on Sunday in Loxton looking to return to winning ways and do honour to club great Russell Ebert in what has been set up as a tribute match for the late football champion.
Port has won the last four meetings between the sides but coach Matthew Lokan says the side cannot afford to take the Bloods lightly in what will be a significant moment on and off the field.
“It's a big occasion for the footy club to be able to go up to Loxton and celebrate the great life of Russell Ebert and what he's given to our football club,” he said.
“It's a really special occasion for the group and a really important one in the context of our season.
“We've been really close in a number of games now, but haven't been able to get the result we're after, so it's an important game to make sure we win and celebrate Russell in the right way.”
Lokan said Ebert would be discussed pre-game, with family invited into the rooms to talk to the playing group.
“The boys obviously understand why we are going to Loxton and the significant part Russell played at the footy club,” he said.
“It's certainly something we'll discuss pre-game and have the family around to be able to share a few stories about Russell.”
The Bloods are yet to claim a win in season 2022, and Lokan’s outfit have recorded just one.
But the Magpies mentor said he saw similarities between the sides.
“They're a really young and exciting team,” he said.
“I think there's a lot of guys we don't know too much about that are new into the SANFL program.
“Yes, they haven't won any games this year, but they've been similar to us, they've been in a number of games and really competitive and they've got some exciting talent in their team that we need to be aware of and close down otherwise they'll able to score really quickly. It should be a really good challenge.
“Hopefully, it's a nice day in Loxton and we can put on a good show.”
The Magpies have welcomed back Jackson Mead, Miles Bergman, Sam Mayes, Luke Surman, Anthony Wilson and Brayden Kirk, with unused emergency players from Saturday’s AFL game also set to make the trip to the Riverland.
Star forward Charlie Dixon will prove a key target as he plays a second game at SANFL level following two rounds of ankle surgery.
“(The inclusions) make our side considerably different and considerably stronger,” Lokan said.
“We expect to have a really good, strong team and a strong performance.”
The sides will be playing for a special trophy to commemorate the occasion.
Ebert’s son Ben will conduct the coin toss and wife Dian will present the trophy to the winning side.
In another touching tribute, Ebert’s junior clubs Loxton and Waikerie will do battle in a curtain raiser from 10:40am before the league game gets underway at 2:05pm.
