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Port hold no AFL grudge on Polec: Ebert

3 minute read

Port Adelaide utility Brad Ebert says the Power players don't hold a grudge against Jared Polec, who walked out of the club to join AFL rivals North Melbourne.

JARED POLEC of the Power kicks the ball during the AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
JARED POLEC of the Power kicks the ball during the AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Port Adelaide players insist the're's no lingering bitterness from Jared Polec's defection to AFL rivals North Melbourne.

Polec and his ex-Port teammate Jasper Pittard will be among North's team to face Port at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

While Port was content to trade Pittard, they couldn't match a cashed-up North offer for Polec.

"Jasper went for more opportunity and Polly went for other reasons," Port utility Brad Ebert told reporters on Tuesday.

"As players we understand there's that business side of football nowadays so we're not holding any grudges against Polly.

"I think when you're getting offered those kind of deals it's hard to say no.

"We're not sitting there going 'Polly should be still here' or anything like that.

"We have moved on as a group and they have moved on as players."

But Ebert said the reception for the duo from Port's parochial home crowd on Friday night would be "interesting".

North travel to Adelaide sitting last on the ladder with just one win, while the Power are fifth with three wins.

Port upset reigning premiers West Coast in Perth last Friday night with Ebert urging his teammates to back-up that performance.

"We're definitely keen on making sure that level of consistency is something that we're really trying to build and to strive for," he said.

"For the most part of this year we have actually been playing some pretty consistent footy .

"The way the comp is these days, everyone is coming out firing more times than not, you're not really seeing too many easy wins.

"North Melbourne, we played them early in the preseason and they were a strong, competitive side and we know that.

"So we know they're going to come out hard and keen to make amends for how their season has started. We have got to be ready for that."

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