PORTAdelaide forward Brett Ebert has announced his retirement.
Ebertplayed 166 games for the Power and kicked 240 goals during his career – thethird most in the club's history.
Hesaid he was forever indebted to Port Adelaide.
"[Theclub] has been a massive part of my family and my upbringing," Ebert saidin a statement on the club's website.
"Igrew up loving the club and then to be able to be drafted to the club as afather-son pick was just unbelievable.
"Andto end my career as a one-club player through the SANFL and into the AFL issomething that I’ll always cherish."
Hebattled persistent injuries during the 2013 season, including three hamstringstrains, meaning the decision to hang up the boots was almost made for him.
"Ithink I ended up with a calf tear, three hamstrings, a glute, torn adductor,strained ab and chronic OP, so it was a tough year," he told a mediaconference on Wednesday morning.
"Iwas chatting to Shaun Rehn yesterday and he said you'd rather just do your kneeand know you're out for six months to a year.
"MentallyI'm probably a little bit shot at the moment, but I think I've learnt from it,I think I've grown as a person and little setbacks you realise aren't that bigin comparison to things people are going through.
"Ihad 10 years where I missed less than 10 games, so I've got to be thankful forthat."
Ebertwas a popular figure at Alberton after being recruited as a 2002 father-sonselection as the son of SANFL legend Russell.
He won the 2003Magarey Medal as the SANFL's best and fairest player and gained All Australiannomination in 2007.
While the29-year-old won't play a part in the club's future, he said he admired how histeammates had handled the season.
"I'm just soproud of the way they've handled themselves, such a young group, I think thethird youngest in the AFL," he said.
"A lot ofplayers thought they'd be burnt out by now, but they're getting bigger andstronger and finishing off last quarters."
Ebert admitted hecouldn't wait to farewell the professional football lifestyle, admitting he's"not a huge footy person".
He's recentlycompleted a sports science degree and said he'd look to put it to use aftertaking a holiday.
"I'm not a realfooty person, the best fun I've had in footy was coaching the under-13 Magpiesthis year," he said.
"It's mainlythe meetings - I love training and I love playing; [I don't like] all the stuffthat goes on on the outside with footy.
"I'm reallylooking forward to getting out there and doing something else in the health promotionor fitness industry."
He said he wouldstill look to play the game next season, but at a lower level.
A renownedprankster at Alberton, Ebert said he'd discovered his car for sale online onmore than one occasion in retaliation from his teammates.
He was confidenthe'd leave the fun at the club in good hands, with former skipper Dom Cassisiand Kane Cornes leading the way while cousin Brad Ebert was developing well.
"Myself, Dom(Cassisi) and Kane (Cornes) were the biggest pests so I think it'll continue on- Brad's (Ebert) improving, he's getting funnier, so I'll look forward to himcontinuing on.
"The youngerguys grow older and the older guys grow younger.
"There's probably noother workplace in the world that they get that."
