24/07/2008 5:21:59 PM
Star forward Brett Ebert has signed a new three-year deal with the Power that will see him tied to the club until the end of the 2011 season.
But the good news comes with some bad for the club with midfielder Peter Burgoyne suspended for two matches after he attended training in an unfit state a month ago.
Burgoyne, who has recovered from a hamstring injury he sustained against Richmond in Round 13, will now line-up for SANFL side Port Adelaide Magpies on Saturday.
The 30-year-old will be eligible for selection for the Power's Round 18 clash against St Kilda on August 3.
Burgoyne had played in every match this season before he got injured against the Tigers and has averaged over 23 possessions a game.
Ebert, meanwhile, has become an important member of Port Adelaide's attack in recent years and he led his club's goalkicking in last year's grand final year with 56 goals.
Power coach Mark Williams was thrilled to secure the services of Ebert for three more seasons.
"Brett's improvement over the past couple of seasons is a real credit to him," Williams said.
"To now be at the point where he's earned a long-term contract with our club says a lot for how far he's come, and is a credit to our development program as well."
"We're really looking forward to what he can bring us in the years ahead."
Ebert was full of praise for Williams and credited the Port Adelaide mentor for his development as a footballer.
"The way he (Williams) has worked with me has been outstanding, he's a great coach," Ebert said.
"It's great to be able to stay at the same club and stay with the same bunch of guys and the same coaching staff. The club has shown a bit of faith in me, so now it's up to me to repay that on the field."
Ebert has played 92 games and kicked 144 goals since debuting in 2004 after being drafted with selection No.42 overall in 2002 draft under the father-son rule.