Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert stops short of calling it the ghost of John McCarthy.

But he reckons there’s a slightly weird feeling about McCarthy’s presence at Alberton.

The popular McCarthy died in a fall at a Las Vegas casino complex on September 9 last year.

Two days before the anniversary of his death, McCarthy’s two former clubs will play an AFL elimination final – a knockout bout at the MCG on Saturday night.

It’s a coincidence not lost on McCarthy’s great mate, Ebert.

“It’s amazing how those things have panned out all season long really,” Ebert told reporters on Wednesday.

“There have been a lot of things like that, that just keep popping up, that remind you of him.”

Things like Port and Collingwood dedicating their round 14 match as a tribute to McCarthy: Port won by 35 points. McCarthy wore the number 35.

McCarthy’s death rattled both Port and Collingwood, where he played 18 games between 2008 and 2011.

And Ebert admitted using McCarthy’s loss as inspiration.

“Personally I have been thinking about him a lot. That is just how it is,” he said.

“Almost a year has passed so it’s an emotional time for everyone.

“And I’m sure he’ll be out there with us on the weekend.

“Guys haven’t really talked about it motivating them. But personally – definitely.

“I think about him before every game … he’s always in the back of my mind.”