Thursday, 16 August 2012:

Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert says it was a shock to see coach Matthew Primus sacked after the side's loss to Greater Western Sydney two weeks ago.

Ebert said he had sleepless nights thinking about the game and what he and his teammates could have done differently.

Then to lose their coach made it a tough and emotional week, he said.

"Straight after the game I was really disappointed with the way that we played against GWS," Ebert said.

"And then the realisation came that Matty was being moved on and that's when it hit even harder."

But Ebert said the coaching staff and the players had moved quickly to return the focus to playing good football and were looking forward to Sunday's clash with his former club West Coast.

He was hoping for a better effort than the disappointing last quarter fade-out against Hawthorn last weekend when the Power allowed the Hawks to kick 11 goals.

Caretaker coach Garry Hocking will continue to lead Port against the Eagles in what may turn out to be a four-week audition for the top job.

But another contender will also be involved in the game at AAMI Stadium with West Coast assistant Scott Burns among a number of candidates.

Ebert said he got on well with Burns during his time at the Eagles and believed the former Collingwood star had the goods to take charge of an AFL side.

"I think he's ready to be a senior coach, whether it's here or somewhere else," Ebert said.

AAP