Online registration to attend Russell Ebert state funeral

UPDATED | The state funeral for South Australian footballing great Russell Ebert will be held next Tuesday at Alberton Oval, with members of the public invited to register online to attend the event.

Nov 10, 2021, updated May 16, 2025
Russell Ebert in 2013 wearing his cherished lace-up jumper, photographed by his former teammate Michael Errey.
Russell Ebert in 2013 wearing his cherished lace-up jumper, photographed by his former teammate Michael Errey.

The State Government service for Ebert, who passed away on Friday aged 72 after a battle with leukemia, will begin at 11am on Tuesday, November 16.

Members of the public wishing to attend have been asked to register online, with SA Health working to develop a COVID management plan for the event.

So far, more than 2000 people have already registered their interest. The event will have an attendance cap of 7000.

“We’ll need people to register for that event, and we’ll be putting a COVID management plan in place to deal with those numbers,” Premier Steven Marshall told reporters today.

“SA Health is working through, with the registrations online, a COVID management plan.

“It’s an outdoor funeral, but we still want people to be able to enter and exit in an appropriately COVID-safe way.”

Masks will be required for the whole service. The funeral will also be streamed live on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website.

The only four-time Magarey Medallist, Ebert played 392 games for the Port Adelaide Magpies in an extraordinary career that saw him win three premierships and six best and fairest awards.

He was last month elevated to legend status in the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, just the seventh athlete to be bestowed with the honour.

Stay informed, daily

The Port Adelaide icon was also a long-time ambassador for disability services organisation Novita and the Power to End Violence Against Women youth program.

“[The state funeral] is our opportunity to farewell a great champion for our state, a champion on the football field but also a champion in life with so much support for very worthy causes over an entire lifetime,” Marshall said.

“He’s left us too early, but he’s left a legacy that will be remembered forever.”

Archive