Eddie Betts

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Eddie Betts

Betts playing with Adelaide in June 2019

Personal information
Full name Edward Robert Betts III
Date of birth 26 November 1986 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Port Lincoln, South Australia, Australia
Original team(s) Calder Cannons (TAC Cup)
Templestowe (EFL)
Draft No. 3, 2004 pre-season draft
Debut Round 1, 2005, Carlton vs. Kangaroos, at Telstra Dome
Height 174 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Position(s) Small Forward
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2005–2013 Carlton 184 (290)
2014–2019 Adelaide 132 (310)
2020–2021 Carlton 34 (40)
Total 350 (640)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
2007-2013 Indigenous All-Stars 2 (2)
2020 All Stars 1 (0)
International team honours
2010–2017 Australia 7 (2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2021.
2 State and international statistics correct as of 2020.
Career highlights
3× All-Australian: (2015, 2016, 2017)
4× Adelaide leading Goalkicker: (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
2× Carlton leading Goalkicker: (2010, 2012)
4× AFL Goal of the Year: (2006, 2015, 2016, 2019)
Carlton Best First-Year player: (2005)
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com
Edward Robert Betts III (born 26 November 1986) is a former Australian rules
football player who played as a forward for Carlton and Adelaide in the Australian
Football League.

Betts was originally drafted by Carlton with pick No. 3 in the 2004 Pre-Season
Draft,[2] where he played for nine years before Adelaide signed him as a free agent
at the end of 2013.[3] He moved back to Carlton at the conclusion of the 2019
season, where he would finish his career at the end of the 2021 season having
played a total of 350 games and kicked 640 goals.

Following retirement, Betts worked as a part-time development coach at the Geelong

Football Club[4] before departing in November 2022 to focus on his foundation
supporting young Indigenous Australians in sport.[5]
Early life and junior football
Betts was born in Port Lincoln, South Australia and raised by his mother in
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.[6] He played junior football for the Mines Rovers
Football Club,[7] before moving back to Port Lincoln, where his father lived, to
play for the Mallee Park Peckers. While in Port Lincoln, Betts' off-field behaviour
was an issue, which included smoking, drinking, drugs and truancy. As a result, his
mother arranged for the 15-year-old Betts to move to Melbourne and begin a TAFE
program run by Indigenous former footballer Phil Krakouer.[6]

In Melbourne, Betts played football for Templestowe, where he won the EFL Division
3 league best and fairest in 2002,[8] and TAC Cup football for the Calder Cannons.
He represented Vic Metro as a 16-year-old in the 2003 AFL Under 18 Championships
and was selected in the Under 18 All-Australian team that season. He was too young
to be selected in the AFL draft at the end of 2003, and he played another season
with the Cannons, but was hindered by osteitis pubis. He was overlooked in the 2004
National Draft as a result.[6]

Professional career
Carlton: 2005–2013

Betts playing for Carlton in 2007

After being overlooked in the National Draft, Betts was recruited to the AFL with
pick 3 in the 2004 Pre-Season Draft by the Carlton Football Club.[6] He attracted
attention as a lively small forward during the 2005 pre-season, and made his AFL
debut in round 1 against the Kangaroos. He kicked 19 goals in 19 games in 2006,
playing as a permanent small forward and becoming a fan favourite.[7] The next
year, Betts won the Goal of the Year for his goal in round 21 against Collingwood,
a banana kick from the boundary under pressure.[9]

Throughout his first four seasons, Betts had a consistent output of roughly a goal
per game. From 2009, Betts' goalkicking output increased, kicking 38 goals in 2009,
then 42 in 2010 to top Carlton's goal kicking for the first time, while also making
the top 10 in the club best and fairest.[7][10] Betts started slowly in 2011, being
on the cusp of being dropped early in the season,[11] but rebounded to kick 50
goals for the season,[10] including a career-best eight goals against Essendon in
round 18.[12]

Betts kicked 48 goals in 2012,[10] stepping up in the absence of several of the

Blues' key forwards to become their major forward target.[13] In that year he led
the club's goalkicking, was runner-up in the club best and fairest count and was
named in the 40 man All-Australian shortlist for the second year in a row.[14]

Betts kicked 27 goals in 18 games in a 2013 season interrupted by a suspension and

a fractured jaw, including five goals in Carlton's two finals.[3] At the end of the
season, Betts entered the market as a restricted free agent, and in October he
notified Carlton he had accepted a four-year contract understood to be worth about
$2 million (AUS) to join the Adelaide Crows.[15] Carlton had 72 hours to match the
Crows offer but declined to do so, allowing the confirmation of Betts' switch to
occur on 4 October, the first day of the free agency period.[3]

Adelaide: 2014–2019

Eddie Betts in June 2019

In his first season at Adelaide, Betts played all 22 games and kicked a career-best
51 goals, leading Adelaide's goalkicking table and finishing eighth in the Coleman
Medal. He also had more goal assists than anyone else in the AFL and was ranked
third in the league for tackles inside the forward 50. Betts played his 200th AFL
game against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval in round 17.[16]
On 26 May 2015, the AFL launched an inquiry into Betts' signing with Adelaide after
the outgoing Carlton coach, Mick Malthouse, claimed to have been told by the
current Carlton and former Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg that Adelaide had illegally
signed Betts 18 months prior to him departing Carlton.[17] Adelaide categorically
denied the claim, as did Carlton and Betts' manager.[18] Betts and all other
parties were subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing in the affair.[19] Following on
from this controversy, Betts improved on his stellar 2014 season by kicking 63
goals in 2015, finishing third in the Coleman Medal, and finally achieving All-
Australian honours.[16] Betts also was awarded the Goal of the Year in 2015 for the
second time in his career; against Fremantle in wet conditions, he managed to
control the ball near the boundary at half-forward and kicked a left-foot torpedo
punt from 50 metres out on the boundary line, which dribbled through for a goal.
[20]

In a Showdown in round 3, 2017, Betts was racially abused by a Port Adelaide club
member. The offender was evicted from the ground and had his membership suspended
indefinitely.[21] In the Crows' next match, Betts was given the honour of tossing
the coin before the match along with Essendon player Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
before kicking 6 goals, taking the lead in the Coleman Medal in the Crows' 65-point
win.[22] This included 5 first-half goals, and he and McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 10
goals between them for the match.[23] In round 7, he kicked his 500th career goal
against North Melbourne in the second quarter, before being flattened by defender
Scott Thompson and immediately getting a set shot to kick his second goal in a row.
Overall he got three goals for the match in spite of the Crows losing by 59 points.
[24] Betts had another good performance in 2017's Sir Douglas Nicholls Indigenous
Round, kicking three goals in the Crows' 100-point win over Fremantle.[25] In
August 2017, Betts was admitted to hospital with appendicitis and missed Adelaide's
round 19 draw against Collingwood but returned the following week for the Showdown
and kicked 4 goals, pushing up to second place on the overall Showdown leading
goal-kickers list, only behind captain Taylor Walker. Betts was a part of
Adelaide's losing Grand Final team that year, kicking one goal in the match.

In 2018, Betts kicked only 29 goals for the year, making it his worst return in 5
years at the Crows. Also in 2018, Betts missed four matches due to hamstring
injuries, having missed only one match in his previous four seasons at Adelaide.

On Round 5 of the 2019 season, he played in his 300th AFL game, against the Gold
Coast Suns. In front of a roaring crowd and with 6 minutes left in what turned out
to be an easy win, he scored a classic left-footed banana that won him an
unparalleled 4th AFL Goal of the Year award.[26]

Return to Carlton: 2020–2021

At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Betts was traded back to Carlton.[27]

On 19 November 2019, Betts was given his previous jumper number at Carlton, no. 19,
once again.

On 16 August 2021, Betts announced via Instagram he would be playing his final, and
350th game against the Giants on 21 August 2021.[28] Betts was chaired off the
ground in his final and 350th game against the Giants, when he officially retired
from his playing career after the game.[29]

Coaching career
After his retirement, Betts began his job as a developmental coach at Geelong while
also bringing in former Adelaide teammate and delisted player Tyson Stengle and
turned him into a member of the 2022 All-Australian roster.

Personal life
While playing for Carlton, Betts taught part-time at Assumption College in Kilmore,
Victoria.[6]

Betts married his long-term partner, Anna Scullie, in a surprise wedding in August
2015, after several years' engagement.[30] They have five children, three boys and
twin daughters.[31][32][33][34]

Publications
When Betts entered the AFL at 17 years of age, he had the reading and writing
ability of a six to seven year old, and knows the challenges and disadvantage this
can cause young people, leading him to create a series of educational books for
children. The books aim to help kids read with confidence and enjoyment and give
them the chance to express their own personality into the story. His first book, My
Kind, is about spreading kindness and helping kids understand acceptance and
equality. Since its release, the kindness movement has spread. My People, Betts'
second book for children, is about sharing and educating kids on Aboriginal culture
and Australia's First Nations peoples. Betts is often asked to visit schools to
share his knowledge and experience.[35][36]

Betts' memoir, The Boy from Boomerang Crescent, was published in August 2022.[37]

Legacy
In 2014, Betts' first year at Adelaide, he converted a series of difficult shots at
goal from the right forward pocket at the northern end of Adelaide Oval. Then-coach
Brenton Sanderson dubbed that area of the ground "Eddie’s Pocket", and the name has
caught on with fans and commentators.[38] Betts' 2015, 2016 and 2019 goal-of-the-
year-winning goals were from the opposite pocket, the left forward pocket at the
same end.[39][40]

In September 2021 Australian musician Paul Kelly released a song inspired by Betts
and his battle with racism, titled Every Step of the Way.[41][42]

Statistics
Statistics are calculated to end of the 2021 season[10]
Legend
G
Goals
K
Kicks
D
Disposals
T
Tackles
B
Behinds
H
Handballs
M
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2005 Carlton 19 19 19 12 86 36 122 17 42 1.0 0.6
4.5 1.9 6.4 0.9 2.2 0
2006 Carlton 19 21 20 10 128 100 228 58 70 1.0 0.5
6.1 4.8 10.9 2.8 3.3 0
2007 Carlton 19 17 21 11 108 94 202 44 66 1.2 0.7
6.4 5.5 11.9 2.6 3.6 0
2008 Carlton 19 18 25 10 143 90 233 62 33 1.4 0.6
7.9 5.0 12.9 3.4 1.8 0
2009 Carlton 19 22 38 21 156 109 265 55 78 1.7 1.0
 7.1 5.0 12.1 2.5 3.6 2
2010 Carlton 19 23 42 29 178 140 318 91 76 1.8 1.3
7.7 6.1 13.8 4.0 3.3 3
2011 Carlton 19 24 50 22 176 121 297 90 84 2.1 0.9
7.3 5.0 12.4 3.8 3.5 4
2012 Carlton 19 22 48 30 182 103 285 72 62 2.2 1.4
8.3 4.7 13.0 3.3 2.8 1
2013 Carlton 19 18 27 15 125 85 210 49 61 1.5 0.8
6.9 4.7 11.7 2.7 3.4 0
2014 Adelaide 18 22 51 22 167 123 290 53 74 2.3 1.0
7.6 5.6 13.2 2.4 3.4 4
2015 Adelaide 18 23 63 25 213 99 312 84 65 2.7 1.1
9.3 4.3 13.6 3.7 2.8 7
2016 Adelaide 18 24 75 31 231 89 320 79 85 3.1 1.3
9.6 3.7 13.3 3.3 3.5 10
2017 Adelaide 18 24 55 34 210 108 318 78 80 2.3 1.4
8.8 4.5 13.3 3.3 3.3 5
2018 Adelaide 18 18 29 20 143 96 239 43 50 1.6 1.1
7.9 5.3 13.3 2.4 2.8 1
2019 Adelaide 18 21 37 21 155 96 251 49 52 1.8 1.0
7.4 4.6 12.0 2.3 2.5 5
2020 Carlton 19 15 13 13 89 44 133 24 41 0.8 0.8
5.9 2.9 8.8 1.6 2.7 3
2021 Carlton 19 19 27 16 121 59 180 42 31 1.4 0.8
6.4 3.1 9.5 2.2 1.6 0
Career 350 640 342 2611 1592 4203 990 1050 1.8 1.0 7.5 4.6
12.0 2.8 3.0 45
References
"Eddie Betts". crowshistoryafc.com.au. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
Gullan, Scott (27 August 2010). "The Eddie Betts of both worlds". PerthNow.
Retrieved 21 December 2011.
Gill, Katrina (4 October 2013). "Betts are off, Eddie's a Crow". AFC.com.au.
Adelaide Football Club. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"Betts Joins Cats". geelongcats.com.au. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
"Betts To Depart Cats For New Role". geelongcats.com.au. 22 November 2022.
Retrieved 22 April 2023.
"The Eddie Betts of both worlds". news.com.au. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 21
December 2011.
"Eddie Betts : Blueseum - Online Carlton Football Club Museum". blueseum.org.
Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"Eastern Football League: Colts/Under 19's". EFL.com.au. Eastern Football League.
Retrieved 21 December 2011.
"Betts' goal provides Blues' bright spot". The Age. 1 October 2006.
"AFL Tables - Eddie Betts statistics". AFL Tables.
Horan, Michael (20 April 2011). "Blues to give Eddie Betts another chance". Herald
Sun.
Lienert, Sam (23 July 2011). "Eddie Betts kicks eight goals as Carlton produce
second-half highlight reel to beat Essendon at the MCG". foxsports.com.au. Fox
Sports. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
Stevens, Mark (2 July 2012). "Eddie Betts illustrates Carlton woes: Blues need
Jarrad Waite back from injury in a hurry". Herald Sun.
"Scotland wins his first Best & Fairest". CarltonFC.com.au. Carlton Football Club.
2 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
Schmook, Nathan (3 October 2013). "Betts off: Free agent Eddie to join Crows".
AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"Eddie Betts - AFC.com.au". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. Archived from the
original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
King, Travis (26 May 2015). "League to look into Malthouse's claims of Crows
poaching Betts". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
 "Club Statement: Eddie Betts". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. 26 May 2015.
Retrieved 26 May 2015.
"AFL Statement: Crows cleared". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. 28 May 2015.
Retrieved 28 May 2015.
"Betts claims Goal of the Year". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. 28 September
2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"Power suspends member over racial abuse". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League.
11 April 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
Gaskin, Lee (15 April 2017). "Match report: Eddie excels as Crows torch Bombers".
AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 14 March
2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
Morgan, Kym (15 April 2017). "Essendon brings a knife to a gunfight". AFL.com.au.
Australian Football League. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
Drummond, Andrew (6 May 2017). "Match report: Rampaging Roos thump League
leaders". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 16
March 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
Gaskin, Lee (27 May 2017). "Five talking points: Adelaide v Fremantle".
AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
"Four times a charm for Eddie, Ryan flies high for big award". AFL.com.au.
Australian Football League. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
King, Travis (14 October 2019). "Crow no more: Eddie makes fairytale return to
Carlton". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
Press, Australian Associated (17 August 2021). "Carlton great Eddie Betts
announces AFL retirement at end of season". the Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
"Betts and Casboult bow out as Giants cement finals berth". 21 August 2021.
Retrieved 5 December 2021.
Wilson, Roxanne (9 August 2015). "Crows forward Eddie Betts marries long-term
partner Anna Scullie in a surprise wedding at Public CBD on Saturday night". The
Advertiser.
"It's a boy!". CarltonFC.com.au. Carlton Football Club. 29 October 2012. Retrieved
19 June 2016.
Phillips, Max (20 March 2015). "Behind Crows Doors: Billy Betts is born".
AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"AFL star Eddie Betts watched birth of twins on FaceTime". 10 April 2018.
Retrieved 10 April 2018.
"'Biggest love': Eddie Betts shares heartwarming family news". 7NEWS.com.au. 19
December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
"Eddie Betts' Lil' Homies Books". Clothing The Gaps. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
"Retired AFL legend Eddie Betts on speaking out against racism". YouTube.
Retrieved 22 October 2022.
Betts, Eddie (3 August 2022). The Boy from Boomerang Crescent. ISBN 9781761102394.
Retrieved 23 September 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
"The Eddie Betts pocket". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. 30 June 2014.
Retrieved 19 June 2016.
"Adelaide goalkicking specialist Eddie Betts has special requests for his 250th
AFL game". The Advertiser. 17 August 2016.
"Stadiums come alive when Eddie Betts gets the ball, but his best work may yet be
off the field". www.abc.net.au. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
McMillen, Andrew (15 September 2021). "Kelly honours Betts … Every Step of the
Way". The Australian Magazine, The Weekend Australian. p. 3.
IANNELLA, ANTIMO (15 September 2021). "For You, Eddie". The Adelaide Advertiser.
p. 3.
External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eddie Betts.

Eddie Betts's playing statistics from AFL Tables
Eddie Betts Profile in Blueseum
Eddie Betts' page at agent W Sports & Media
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Carlton Football Club · leading goalkickers
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Adelaide Football Club · leading goalkickers
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AFL Goal of the Year
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2015 All-Australian team
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2016 All-Australian team
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2017 All-Australian team
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Madden Medal winners
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Australian squad – 2010 International Rules Series
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Australian squad – 2013 International Rules Series
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Australian squad – 2015 International Rules Series
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Australian squad – 2017 International Rules Series
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All Stars – State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match
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2007 Indigenous All-Stars team
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2013 Indigenous All-Stars team
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2005 AFL pre-season draft
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