North Melbourne has joined Port Adelaide in mourning the passing of Australian Football Hall of Fame member and former player, Russell Ebert.

Ebert passed away on Friday at the age of 72 after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a form of cancer, in December last year.

Ebert established himself as one of the greats of Australian Football across 392 games for Port Adelaide, where he won four Magarey Medals for best and fairest in the SANFL.

He crossed to North Melbourne ahead of the 1979 season, famously flying in from his Adelaide home for match days in his one and only year with the Roos. 

Becoming Shinboner no.709, Ebert made his debut in the 20-point win over Essendon at Arden St in round one, 1979.

Turning 30 in his debut season, Ebert managed to poll nine Brownlow votes in his one and only year in the VFL – behind only Gary Dempsey and Ross Glendinning at the club.

He gathered 534 possessions in his 25 games and was part of the losing preliminary final side against Collingwood, his last game for the club.

A midfielder with class and poise, Ebert returned to his beloved Port Adelaide and played until his retirement as a player in 1985. He remains one of the most revered figures in Port Adelaide’s rich history. 

North Melbourne sends its condolences to Russell’s wife Di, children Ben, Tammy and Brett and the entire Port Adelaide Football Club community.