SA Footy

I noticed this on Barrie R's page on http://www.nafc.com.au and thought it might be worth sharing, its a pity the Advertiser doesn't print stories like these:

A Champ of the Field also
Barrie Robran
20/10/2006

Our young receptionist, Shanelle, asked me the other day if I could do her a favour and ask if Russell Ebert could send her terminally ill uncle a greeting card. Shanelle's uncle, Neil Coppins, who resides at Taperoo is very ill and has been a Port Adelaide fan all his life.

I telephoned Russell and explained the reason for my call and asked if he could send Neil a greeting card with "something" Port Adelaide on it. He said he would be very pleased to.

Next I heard {yesterday} was that Russell had actually gone to Neil's home and was told that he was in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital undergoing some scans and treatment. Not to be deterred, Russell then drove to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in search of Neil. After some time and many questions later, he finally located Neil who was being wheeled in to an X-Ray facility for his scans.

Russell was generous enough to also take with him some autographed Port Adelaide photos for Neil to enjoy and savour and to bring much joy to Neil Coppins in his time of great distress.

I thought our readers might like to learn what such a considerate and generous man Russell Ebert is, not only was he a Champion on the field, but also a Champion individual off the field.

Sincerest thanks to Russell from everyone at Roosterland for this compassionate gesture.

Always good to hear about people doing things like that, whether they played football or not.

Have heard lots of stories like this about Russ over the years...

There are many stories about Russell, from his early days to today. All make good listening.

Todays Russell is a top bloke. Do I remember correctly when his medals were stolen Kerls went on the air and said something like, (to the thief) hand them in to the police, coz they will be more gentle than Russell and his mates!

And to think when this absolute champion of a footballer moved to the Kangaroos, Barrassi gave him a tagging role in his first game.

I know many of the Ebert family personally - and this is a vein that runs through the whole bunch.
Generous people.
His brother Bill was the main instigator of a fundraiser that collected half a million dollars for our local hospital in around two years. A huge achievement for a small community.
He's also been the town's citizen of the year.

Just goes to show who the real GOD of SA footy is doesn't it .It has finally been answered .All the real god SIR BARRY has to do is click his fingers and Russell is off running around town like the butler he was by comparison on the footy field

all jokes aside well done Russ

well of course the advertiser wont publish this..... its a goodwill gesture...

but if someone was drink driving , assaulting someone etc then they would publish it.....

Class!!!

Dogwatcher wrote:I know many of the Ebert family personally - and this is a vein that runs through the whole bunch.
Generous people.
His brother Bill was the main instigator of a fundraiser that collected half a million dollars for our local hospital in around two years. A huge achievement for a small community.
He's also been the town's citizen of the year.

Is Bill the Ebert who works/worked for Elders Realty in the main street? When I moved to Loxton a few years ago he really tried to push some shonky rental properties my way. If you're in Loxton you'll know the A-Frames on Bookpurnong Tce - he took me to a unit in there that had a huge hole in the wall! Lovely guy though

I once was teaching in Berri and brought a class to Adelaide for a camp. We did a tour of Footy Park when Russ was working there - even though the Crows on hand were too cool to even acknowledge the kids, Russ's tour was absolutely brilliant. (The next year we came down we went to Alberton to even the score - Chocko was equally as impressive).

Russ and his family are fantastic. They lived a couple of doors down from my Grandpa in West Lakes when we were kids and were always extremely friendly and generous. Russ has come out to my school and done some great work with the students. And to round off the tenuous family connection, my dad's business used to be a major sponsor of the Woodville Spastic Centre which Russ has given so much to over the years.

A champion player and a champion guy.

Coorong wrote:And to think when this absolute champion of a footballer moved to the Kangaroos, Barrassi gave him a tagging role in his first game.

Huh? didnt hurt as he got the most possies in the league that year

Agree this is a great story and should be read by all AFL draftees the day they are drafted. The game has been excellent to Russell but he has also been excellent not only to the game but to the community, very important...Russell gets it but many dont

Champion player and most important a Champion Bloke

Russ, once again B.O.G

You have to admire both Barrie and Russell, probally the greatest players in the SANFL in the past 30 years and yet the nicest guys and they are gentlemen.

Pity some AFL players don't follow their example...........

Brad

more like pitty more top sportsmen full stop don't give more back to the community

Champion person, i sincerely believe both Russell Ebert and Barrie Robran would equally be great options as the state's next Governor, but i doubt either would accept due to their modesty.

What a fantastic story champion on and off the field

Russell Ebert

Well done to Russell Ebert a legend of Aussie Rules on and off the field!

I think his lad will probably have alot better year this year as well, pity the Crows couldent have snagged him!

Sojourner wrote:Well done to Russell Ebert a legend of Aussie Rules on and off the field!

I think his lad will probably have alot better year this year as well, pity the Crows couldent have snagged him!

Sojourner - have you just woken up from a coma? I've noticed that you have been resurrecting a number of 'historical' threads of late!