Eddie Betts

Career: 2005-
Debut: Round 1, 2005 vs North Melbourne
Carlton Player No. 1 084
Games: 97*
Goals: 123*
Guernsey No. 19
Height: 173cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 26 November, 1986


There's nothing more exciting in football than a first year player having a real impact. The 173cm Eddie Betts did just that in 2005, after being drafted in the 2004 Pre-Season Draft (although a West Australian Betts was drafted from the Calder Cannons) the Club could have let him go through to the Rookie Draft but clearly saw enough to offer him the 'full' contract.

Despite playing a few games at the Bullants, Betts was an exciting revelation for Carlton fans who endured a tough year. 19 goals from the forward pocket, and a very occasional stint further upfield, from 19 games was a great return for the young Betts, who endeared himself to fans not only with his goals but also his public speaking. Betts was also a key player in our limited wins, with his 3.2 in our Round 20 win against Collingwood pivotal.

2006 was an interesting year for Betts - he would play 21 games, markedly lift his average stats (from 6.4 to 10.9 a game) and be one of the very few forwards for Carlton to lift their goalkicking ability (albeit marginally from 19 to 20). At the same time he would enjoy some stints on the ball and spent a lot of the time at half-forward chasing down opposition defenders. He would also, despite his size, offer leads to the midfield which were often accepted.

In the Round 21 match against Collingwood, Betts intercepted a handball and despite close attention from two Collingwood players, threaded a miracle banana kick from the boundary line, which would be awarded 2006 AFL Goal of the Year.

For sure, he would still have games where he couldnt get into it, but with the increase in flooding a player of Betts' type would sometimes find it difficult to find space. But it never stopped him trying, and after 2 seasons, 40 games and 39 goals, Betts had done very well for his first 2 years in AFL football.

Eddie played the first 8 games of 2007, before suffering from a double-tear of his hamstring in Round 8. At that stage, Betts was averaging about 10 stats a game and 1.4 goals a game (11 from 8 games), slightly up on his 2006 performances. Betts' return to the team in Round 13 saw him play game #49, with the magical 50 milestone brought up against Melbourne a week later. These 2 games were rather quiet, and Betts spent a week in the Bullants before surprising with 23 possessions in a midfield role against the Saints. In the last game of the season, Eddie kicked a career-best 5 goals to take his season tally to 21 goals from 17 games as well as picking up a career-high 26 disposals.

In the Round 2 clash against St Kilda, Eddie managed to kick a miraculous goal with a left foot banana tight against the boundary. It was an early favourite for the Goal of the Year, something he achieved in season 2006 with a similar goal. The next week he played probably the best game in his career till that point, racking up a career-high 27 disposals and kicking one outstanding goal.

Betts kicked 5 goals in the Round 1, 2009 83-point victory over Richmond. He followed up with another 3 spectacular goals in the following week's victory over Brisbane.

Milestones

50th Game: Round 14, 2007

Career Highlights

2005 Best First Year Player
2006 Phil Manassa Medal for AFL Goal Of The Year
2007 Pre-Season Premiership Player

Links

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Eddie Betts | Career Breakdown | Goal of the Year | Betts' Blueseum Image Gallery