Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak has ordered his troops to rally around Brett Ebert as the forgotten forward faces the end of his AFL career.
Ebert, a 166-game stalwart, hasn't played an AFL match this season because of a groin injury.
And on the comeback trail in the SANFL reserves on the weekend, Ebert tore a hamstring.
The 29-year-old will have scans but Boak conceded there were fears for Ebert.
"It has been a pretty frustrating year for Brett but we have just got to keep positive and keep helping as much as we can," Boak told reporters on Monday.
"We know he's a vital part of our side when he's up and going. And if we can remain positive and help him as much as we can, hopefully he can get back."
Boak praised Ebert's demeanour around the club, despite his ongoing injury battles.
"Brett has always been the bubbly type at the club, he is always joking and carrying on. And he has continued to do that," he said.
"That is a credit to him because it has been a pretty tough year, but all he thinks about is the team."
Port play home-town rivals Adelaide on Sunday in a game Boak said was vital for the eighth-placed Power, who are eyeing a return to the finals for the first time since 2007.
"We set out at the start of the year to get respect back from the competition - we are slowly doing that," Boak said of Port, who finished 14th last season and 16th in 2011.
"And we are getting confidence and belief along the way and that is great to have."
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