Asked to shift out of his customary midfield role to a HFF in a swap with Travis Boak, things started brightly for Brad Ebert last season with ten goals from his first six games, keeping up productive rates of accumulation as well to lift his average above a fantasy ton. Then came some knees to the head that caused concussion in round 7, then a month into his comeback he tore a PCL muscle in round 17. Forward designation for Ebert this year boosts his fantasy value into the stratosphere, particularly given that the options at the top of the scoring tables in the forward line have dried up with positional changes in the off season. If he can recreate that three-figure scoring rate over the course of an entire season, he could merit a very early pick. He should be off the board in the first few rounds, though the first round is going a bit far.
Good early reviews for Ebert
Asked to shift out of his customary midfield role to a HFF in a swap with Travis Boak, things started brightly for Brad Ebert last season with ten goals from his first six games, keeping up productive rates of accumulation as well to lift his average above a fantasy ton. Then came some knees to the head that caused concussion in round 7, then a month into his comeback he tore a PCL muscle in round 17. Forward designation for Ebert this year boosts his fantasy value into the stratosphere, particularly given that the options at the top of the scoring tables in the forward line have dried up with positional changes in the off season. If he can recreate that three-figure scoring rate over the course of an entire season, he could merit a very early pick. He should be off the board in the first few rounds, though the first round is going a bit far.
Hey Ebert, get the footy
While the Power's overall fortunes rose and fell with the availability of Patrick Ryder, the drop off from Brad Ebert last season was not as easily explained. His game included less tackles and more marks, but his contested rate stayed at about the same percentage in the low 40s. Port was a top six club for clearances, so why did he get less leather? His average only dropped five points in losses, so that's not it. Perhaps the list clear out in the off season will improve the mood of the place and free up the minds of leaders like Ebert to focus on the footy rather than off field shenanigans. He has 15 points of upside if he can find his best form from a few years ago, and to believe that you either have to be a Port homer or trust that the game under the new rules is going to benefit their attack-first mindset. Draftable in middle rounds.
Tasty treats for Ebert
Largely abandoning the run-with roles from 2016 that saw him more on the outside, Brad Ebert concentrated on working at the coalface last season to post his best fantasy season to date with 25 touches and a top-five-ranked 7.7 tackles per game. He has missed just two games in the last eight years. Ebert's continued fantasy value is heavily contingent on his role, as he delivered his worst scores when he was tasked with following a man. He is as reliable as the day is long, providing the coach doesn't tell him to sacrifice his game, which may happen with Tom Rockliff arriving in midfield. He's worth an early round pick.
