News Russell Ebert diagnosed with leukemia

[robbo1981]

I'm still yet to watch it just seen 30sec and stoped watching.

 

[Janey]

I'm still yet to watch it just seen 30sec and stoped watching.

It breaks my heart everytime I see how he looks now, but out of respect for him and the courage he has shown you really do need to see it.

 

[robbo1981]

It breaks my heart everytime I see how he looks now, but out of respect for him and the courage he has shown you really do need to see it.

I will just abit raw at the moment.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Serious question to a biased audience, I feel the oldies in the media think Barry Robran was better. Who was the better player for those that can be impartial?

Russell has always said Barrie without question.

I remember Gordon Schwartz wrote that Robran used his skills like a master artist using brushes and a palette, while Russell used his skills like hand grenades.

 

[Grave Danger]

The late Natman who saw all of Barrie's career as well as Russell's wrote the following, which made a big impression when I read it in Power freak 2008 Natural Ability vs Hard Work thread 8.5 years ago.

Natural ability vs Hard work

Barrie Robran, as a physical specimen, would be on a par with other athlete mentioned in this thread. He had natural ability and worked hard and if not injured would have won 5 Magarey Medals. In today's game and with the fitness levels would be the number 1 player in the AFL.

www.bigfooty.com

As a youngster I went to that Grand Final (1971) where Port didn't kick a goal in the first half - Russell won his first Magarey that year, but Barrie already had two of them under his belt. I can't remember if they played on each other in that game - Wiki shows Ebert in the centre and Robran playing CHF. The next year North beat Port again for the flag and both were playing centre, so I assume Russell lowered his colours that day. Those two years probably nail the argument over who was the better player. A young fella called #Malcom was better than both of them in 1972, in the umpire's eyes at least.

 

[Hammer#8]

I'm still yet to watch it just seen 30sec and stoped watching.

Had tears in my eyes seeing him at the start not gonna lie.

The more he spoke the more the more his exceptional qualities came through.

Humble honest and eternally thankful. He is a great man.

 

[jonasshirtfront]

You see the way his eyes lit up during that story about helping with the crippled children's sports day. Just a great man.

If it's any consolation my dad went through a ton of chemo and radiotherapy in 2017 and looked pretty similar to how Russell does in the video, except dad didn't look half as full of life. This year we've been to four games so far for the first time since 2016. Things are rough but it's not over.

 

[robbo1981]

You see the way his eyes lit up during that story about helping with the crippled children's sports day. Just a great man.

If it's any consolation my dad went through a ton of chemo and radiotherapy in 2017 and looked pretty similar to how Russell does in the video, except dad didn't look half as full of life. This year we've been to four games so far for the first time since 2016. Things are rough but it's not over.

That's awesome M8

 

[Stewart2Austin Reborn]

 

[Harlott]

I think it’s a very positive watch. He just comes across as he always has. A very sincere, caring, humble man with a sharp mind and extremely eloquent, in a down to earth way, in expressing what he wants to say. Extremely grateful to the club for all the opportunities it has given him. Also what the club has always stood for and meant to its supporters. I’m always reassured when I know the legacy of guys like Russell and Jack will always be there as a constant to remind us what we should always strive for and never settle for anything less.

 

[philreich]

Apart from the short clip on twitter, the whole interview video goes for 44 minutes:

Russell Ebert interview: A message to the True Believers | PTV

We sat down with the great Russell Ebert for his first interview since being diagnosed with cancer last year.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

Extraordinary interview. The things that shone through throughout were the man's humility and selflessness, plus the fact that he never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. These traits (among others) are what makes him such a revered figurehead. Keep fighting, great man - we're all right behind you.

 

[VineValerian]

Yeah, it was a sobering thing to see him now.
But (and call me macabre), I found it such an uplifting experience to view that.
Made me respect him more as a human being in adversity, than in his prime - if that was at all possible.

 

[VineValerian]

Always found it hard to differentiate between Russ and Barrie as to who was better. Completely different styles of players.
Robran a Rolls Royce. Ebert a Ferarri.

Both courageous, skilled beyond belief, athletically supreme, thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead of everyone else, insane peripheral vision, did things others would find impossible, and brought team mates into play and made others look good.

Barrie always looked Pendleburyesque - moved in slow motion with so much time, yet no one could catch him.
Russ was a powerhouse, who exploded with dynamism, those long fingers never lost control of the ball, and those EYES - the focus he had for getting the ball and then always searching for the best option. Amazing.

I rank them equal, for different reasons. Barrie perhaps a smidgeon ahead with evasive qualities, and Russ could (and practically did) virtually play any position on the field - except knock ruckman.

If push came to shove, then Robran is 10 out of 10 - bear in mind this is just players I have seen play. Head and Motley were near the end when I started watching. Hank, Moriarty, Fitzgerald, Deane, Quinn, etc were gone.
Russell is 9.95 out of 10.
Blight, Carman and Bagshaw I consdered were in the next tier down.
Then daylight!
But cos he's a Port man, I would revise that to give Russ 10.05 out of 10.

 

[1954]

Having been privileged to see both players at their peaks the Ebert v Robran comparison is extremely tough to call.

When they were opposed in minor round games they tended to play wide of each other and usually shared the honours, but in the early days eg 1971 and 1972 Robran had much the better record in finals and it wasn't until the 1977 gf that Russell showed he could perform at his best on the big day.

As VineValerian has suggested above, Barrie often appeared to be going half pace yet opponents couldn't lay a hand on him, whilst Russell was a power athlete who just brushed them aside before bamboozling them with skill.
To use a comparison with champions from another sport, Robran was Michael Jordan, and Ebert was Charles Barkley.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

Robran was Michael Jordan, and Ebert was Charles Barkley.

So Robran was the GOAT and Ebert was nowhere near the GOAT?

 

[Tredz]

Russell has always said Barrie without question.

I remember Gordon Schwartz wrote that Robran used his skills like a master artist using brushes and a palette, while Russell used his skills like hand grenades.

I suspect Barrie would say the same about Russell.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I suspect Barrie would say the same about Russell.

I think VineValerian described the comparison best.

They are so close and yet so different even though they could play the same positions that it becomes a beauty in the eye of the beholder question. Barrie was injured probably at his peak, which is why everyone remembers him so highly.

Russell played out his full career and was still at a high level at the end of his career, but we did see the decline over time.

Then again, Russell had the greatest individual season in the history of the sanfl - 1976 when he polled 42 votes under the one umpire system.

Interestingly, the footy watchers in Whyalla thought Rodney would be the better Robran.

 

[Tredz]

You see the way his eyes lit up during that story about helping with the crippled children's sports day. Just a great man.

If it's any consolation my dad went through a ton of chemo and radiotherapy in 2017 and looked pretty similar to how Russell does in the video, except dad didn't look half as full of life. This year we've been to four games so far for the first time since 2016. Things are rough but it's not over.

Without doubt a great man. What makes him 'great'? The fact that he was an extremely talented footballer, or that he helps and shows kindness and compassion for others? I think he would say the greater measure of a man is not the medals and awards one receives but the love, kindness and compassion he/she shows for their fellow individuals. This gives me great hope...I will never be a talented footballer BUT I can show love, compassion and kindness towards others. To those that I may help maybe I also will be seen as a 'great man' in their eyes. If so, we can all be 'great' in our own sphere of influence.

 

[1954]

So Robran was the GOAT and Ebert was nowhere near the GOAT?

As well as a number of other accolades Barkley is in the top 4 NBA players of all time for points scored, rebounds, and assists, so I'm comfortable with the comparison.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

As well as a number of other accolades Barkley is in the top 4 NBA players of all time for points scored, rebounds, and assists, so I'm comfortable with the comparison.

Never hear him in the conversation for GOAT which is what are having is all.

 

[malcheski]

So Robran was the GOAT and Ebert was nowhere near the GOAT?

Robran as Jordan, Russell as LeBron is probably more apt

 

[Jojay]

Barrie:

Russell:

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Watched the full video this morning - with some dread, but I'm glad I watched it all. Watching the 90 seconds on twitter the other day I thought it was going to be a sad thing to watch, but it was pretty up lifting for me.

My mother had AML 26 years ago and she only came home after 2 months in hospital for treatment, when they couldn't help her anymore, so I was dreading / expecting Russell to be in that sort of poor a condition. I was pleasantly surprised that he wasn't.

The chemo and other drug treatment has knocked Russell around and he was so gaunt, but the good thing was that he was able to talk clearly and didn't appear to be in pain, had a good energy level and was coherent. My mum was on painkillers which meant she at times struggled with basic conversation.

Keep up the good fight Russell.

 

[VineValerian]

I think VineValerian described the comparison best.

They are so close and yet so different even though they could play the same positions that it becomes a beauty in the eye of the beholder question. Barrie was injured probably at his peak, which is why everyone remembers him so highly.

Russell played out his full career and was still at a high level at the end of his career, but we did see the decline over time.

Then again, Russell had the greatest individual season in the history of the sanfl - 1976 when he polled 42 votes under the one umpire system.

Interestingly, the footy watchers in Whyalla thought Rodney would be the better Robran.

Had he not been injured, people say Barrie could have won 5 MM's. Maybe so.

When Hodgeman (I think) and Peter Woite won their medals, I reckon (stand to be corrected of course) that Russ was the favourite both years, in most pundits' eyes.

So could he have legitimately won 6 of the little bits of tin tied to a ribbon?

Who will ever know!

 

[jac147]

I think VineValerian described the comparison best.

They are so close and yet so different even though they could play the same positions that it becomes a beauty in the eye of the beholder question. Barrie was injured probably at his peak, which is why everyone remembers him so highly.

Russell played out his full career and was still at a high level at the end of his career, but we did see the decline over time.

Then again, Russell had the greatest individual season in the history of the sanfl - 1976 when he polled 42 votes under the one umpire system.

Interestingly, the footy watchers in Whyalla thought Rodney would be the better Robran.

Before the days of the AFL, the VFL and the SANFL in 1974 decided that it would be a great idea to play a game between SA and Victoria at the SCG for promotional purposes. You know let’s promote Aussie Rules in the very heartland of Rugby League.
It had rained a fair bit before the game so the SCG was a mud heap and the game as a spectacle, it wasn’t. I think the Vics won but it was this game that Barrie completely wrecked his knee and played only a handful games after it.
I never watched the game but I think it was fairly common knowledge around Adelaide that a Victorian with the nickname of Lethal was responsible for Barrie’s injury.
So a nothing game played in the RL heartland of NSW was responsible for a career ending injury for a champion SA player.
By the way I rank Russell and Barrie on a par with each other.