PORT Adelaide forward Brett Ebert could miss the entire 2011 season after suffering a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the club’s 29-point win over Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
 
Ebert got to his feet after colliding with a pack of players in a marking contest during the first quarter but soon made his way to the bench, where doctors confirmed the 26-year-old’s worst fears.
 
In December, Power midfielder David Rodan underwent revolutionary LARS surgery, after sustaining a similar knee injury during a pre-season training session.
 
Rodan’s return this season has been nothing short of remarkable and caretaker coach Matthew Primus said LARS could also be an option for Ebert.
 
“The docs are pretty sure Ebo’s done his ACL. Normally, once they do their tests they are 99 per cent sure it’s done. He’ll probably have it confirmed tomorrow and then we’ll discuss surgery and whether he has the LARS or the old-fashioned reconstruction,” Primus said on Sunday.
 
“Brett was our leading goalkicker [prior to Sunday]…so it’s not ideal, but he’ll bounce back from it, I’m sure. We’ve had a few other players go through it depends what road he goes down.
 
“He’ll be back at some stage next year whether it’s the middle of the year or the end of the year.”
 
The margin was only 10 points at half time but Port Adelaide broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to Melbourne’s three.
 
The young Demon side has been touted as the next Geelong, but Primus said Sunday’s result proved the Power’s future was just as bright.
 
“We really challenged the players this week that Melbourne is an up-and-coming team that everyone is saying will come up into the eight [next season] and challenge all those other teams,” Primus said.
 
“We really wanted to test themselves against a team that everyone perceives has got a lot of talent and has developed really quickly. We think we’ve got as much talent here and are developing quickly too, so it was great for the players to feel that.”
 
The win was Primus’ fourth since taking over from former coach Mark Williams in round 16.
 
Primus is considered one of the favourites to get the top job at Alberton, but the former skipper was quick to talk down the importance of Sunday’s win in his quest to become the senior coach.
 
“It’s more the players showing that they have belief in themselves,” he said.
 
“We’ve got one more game and hopefully that will give us some momentum to bounce into the 2011 pre-season and the season.”