Brad Ebert is supremely confident that Port Adelaide is in a strong position to go again in 2021.
The Power catapulted from 10th on the ladder in 2019 to a minor premiership with a near impeccable 14-3 record in 2020.
The season did not end the way that the club would have liked, losing narrowly to eventual premiers Richmond in the Preliminary Final at the Adelaide Oval.
Ebert, who retired after that game, admits the loss came with some pain but feels that the Power are well equipped to atone for that and return to the top of the pile next year.
“It certainly hurt and especially because that was the last sort of crack, the last hurrah for me personally,” he said on SEN Mornings.
“We’ve had a couple of close encounters over my time. I think back to 2014 and the same sort of thing with Hawthorn (when losing by three points in the prelim).
“For us, it certainly hurt but at the same time we gave it a fair crack. I walk away personally from the game content that I’ve given it my all.
“As a team I knew that we were coming from a long way back so I was really impressed with the way the boys galvanised this year and really played some strong, consistent footy.
“Yes, it was disappointing but you’re able to move on and get excited about what’s next in life.
“I’m sure for the boys that missed out, they get another crack next year and the team is only going to be better for the experience.”
Ebert explained why he has so much confidence that coach Ken Hinkley’s playing group will be able to repeat the dose and perhaps go a couple of wins further next season.
“The young guys are playing some really good footy but there was a lot of other guys untried as well,” he added.
“There was that real depth in our list this year that I was pretty impressed with.
“There are guys that I was really confident would be able to step up and play really strong AFL football that just didn’t really get a chance because there was no SANFL competition to press the case or the team was playing so well that they never got a go.
“There will be a number of those sort of guys who will be consistently pressing and will be getting games and that will only make the team stronger.
“Then you get Orazio (Fantasia) and Aliir Aliir and they’ll be really good acquisitions to the team. Aliir adding that versatility and height down back and Orazio can do what he can do.
“I think they’re poised for a good season and are in a really good position.”
The Power kick off their 2021 season against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 21.
Since his retirement, Ebert has been keeping busy with Hey Diddle wines - a joint venture with Power skipper Tom Jonas.