BRAD Ebert was shocked when Adelaide overlooked him with its first pick in yesterday's draft. West Coast was equally shocked that Ebert fell to it at pick 13. And after overcoming the reality that a son of one of Adelaide's most famous footballing families would not be staying there, Ebert stood up and thanked the Eagles for giving him his chance. And he meant it.

The 17-year-old Ebert is not the only kid who will be bundling up his bags. Of the 64 fresh players picked yesterday, 35 must move to a new state. Another bunch of country kids will be moving into town.

But Ebert was a big talking point yesterday. He comes from a family — two families, in fact — that have given South Australian football, and more particularly Port Adelaide, more than most others.

Trevor Obst, his mother Christine's father, played 205 games for the SANFL's Power side, and won a Magarey Medal. Brad's uncle, Russell Ebert, is arguably South Australia's best player. His cousin, Brett, plays for the Power.

None of those men bind Brad to the Power, but his father, Craig, played 112 games for the Magpies, and more for West Adelaide — lots of games, but not the 200 to ensure a father-son selection.

Which made Brad's draft-day experience even more bewildering. Adelaide had a pick before Port Adelaide, and over the border there was plenty of pre-draft talk about how ironic it would be should a Port boy end up at the Crows. Think the Cornes boys, in reverse.

Instead, the Crows chose Patrick Dangerfield, who will bring some much-needed midfield speed, but not until 2009, having decided to stay at home near Geelong next season to complete his VCE.

It left Ebert hanging, until the Eagles grabbed him, and it sent internet forums and talkback radio in Adelaide crazy. The club passing on the best local talent for a kid who won't be there next year? And letting Ebert go to Perth? It seemed a bigger slap to Port Adelaide than picking the kid. The Crows did rate Ebert; he was the seventh-best player on their list. But Dangerfield was No. 3, and he was there. Brad was thinking about flying to Perth earlier than the Eagles had asked him to be there. He wants to prove West Coast right.

"I just really want to do well next year," he said. "It's not just the Crows. The Eagles picked me and the way I'm thinking is they are a good club that have everything in place. They're going to be good, and they picked me. I like them, because they've given me a chance."

For his parents, the Eagles don't scare them because of the events there this year, they scare them because they're a long way away. That said, their son has been drafted; it's exciting.

"This is just the way it's panned out. Adelaide had the chance to pick him, and they didn't, and that's their choice. The Eagles have chosen him and we're rapt," said Craig Ebert. "He has a chance. We're just rapt that he got drafted."