AFL Teams, Round 19 | Eddie Betts, Charlie Dixon axed for round 19
After the Adelaide Crows have swung the axe in a spectacular way, Eddie Betts has responded in the classiest way possible.
After three losses in their last four games, the Adelaide Crows have wielded the axe, dumping three players, including champion forward Eddie Betts.
Betts has never been dropped in his 312-game AFL career until now with the star the casualty of an inconsistent season.
Betts arrived in Adelaide in 2014 and has kicked 305 goals in 128 games.
After starting his time in Adelaide with four seasons of more than 50 goals, he was only able to kick 29 last season and has added just 32 this season.
But his numbers have been inflated in 2019 by kicking six goals twice against the last placed Gold Coast Suns.
Betts will now line up for his first SANFL match for the Crows against Glenelg on Saturday afternoon while the senior side is at the MCG facing Carlton.
While it was a surprising move, Betts took to social media with a classy response to getting dropped.
Crows coach Don Pyke hoped Betts would soon be able to rediscover his form.
“Unfortunately Eddie has not been able to deliver his usual consistency of performance to which we have become accustomed,” Pyke said.
“We know that at his best he brings high energy, high impact and hits the scoreboard in games, and unfortunately and frustratingly we have not seen that regularly this season.
“Eddie will play in the SANFL this weekend with a view to recapture his best form.”
Hugh Greenwood and Alex Keath were also dropped for the match.
The Crows have added Tyson Stengle, who kicked three goals in his club debut against the Sun two weeks ago, with Patrick Wilson and Andy Otten also named to play their first senior games of 2019.
St Kilda great Leigh Montagna said he was surprised by the decision.
“Surprised and a little concerned for Eddie,” he told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight. “When you’re getting dropped at 32 years of age, turning 33 later in the year, it’s always worrying signs. We know there has been a lot of talk that Adelaide will have to mix up their team going forward into 2020, we know about having an ageing list, is this the first signs of some of the changes?
“You just have to wonder what Eddie’s future is going to look like because he’s been such a good footy player for that club for so long.”
Julian de Stoop said the call wasn’t as surprising as it seemed.
“There’s been a lot of talk about it,” he said. “He’s goalless in three of the last four. Five times this year, he’s been goalless and he only did that three times for the entire year last year. It will get a lot of headlines but it’s not a massive shock if you look into his form.”
Fans were quick to question who co-captain Taylor Walker wasn’t given similar treatment to Betts.
Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton told Fox Sport’s AFL360 it would be crazy to drop two big names at the same time.
“You’re not going to drop your captain and the superstar on the one night,” Brereton said. “If they’ve dropped Eddie, they’ve considered Tex. Without doubt. Two of them at once would’ve been too much.”
Brereton’s former teammate Jason Dunstall said it should make no difference unless the team has double standards.
“They’ve got co-captains, so they can get away with it, can’t they?” Dunstall said.
“I mean it is no bigger than dropping an Eddie Betts, why should Taylor Walker be exempt from that? If the standards are going to be the same for everyone, you’ve got to step up as well.”
South Australia offered the big selection bombshells with Port Adelaide’s key forward Charlie Dixon and Steven Motlop also dumped for the Power’s match against GWS on Saturday night.
ROUND 19 INS AND OUTS (All times AEST)
Friday July 26, 7.50pm: Collingwood vs Richmond, MCG
MAGPIES
IN: Matthew Scharenberg, Jamie Elliott, Josh Thomas, Josh Daicos
OUT: Ben Crocker (Omitted), Brayden Sier (Injured), James Aish (Injured), Flynn Appleby (Omitted)
TIGERS
No changes
Saturday July 27, 1.45pm: Hawthorn vs Brisbane, University of Tasmania Stadium
HAWKS
IN: Grant Birchall
OUT: Jarman Impey (Injured)
LIONS
IN: Josh Walker
OUT: Harris Andrews (Suspension)
Saturday July 27, 2.10pm: Carlton vs Adelaide, MCG
BLUES
IN: Andrew Phillips
OUT: Matthew Kreuzer (Managed)
CROWS
IN: Tyson Stengle, Patrick Wilson, Andy Otten
OUT: Hugh Greenwood (Omitted), Eddie Betts (Omitted), Alex Keath (Managed)
Saturday July 27, 4.35pm: West Coast vs North Melbourne, Optus Stadium
EAGLES
IN: Will Schofield
OUT: Tom Cole (Omitted)
KANGAROOS
IN: Taylor Garner, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Paul Ahern
OUT: Scott D. Thompson (Injured), Kayne Turner (Rested), Nathan Hrovat (Omitted)
Saturday July 27, 7.25pm: St Kilda vs Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
IN: Ben Long
OUT: Matthew Parker (Omitted)
DEMONS
IN: Oskar Baker, Tim Smith, Oscar McDonald
OUT: Braydon Preuss (Omitted), Steven May (Injured), Jay Lockhart (Omitted)
Saturday July 27, 7.40pm: Port Adelaide vs GWS, Adelaide Oval
POWER
IN: Paddy Ryder, Joel Garner
OUT: Charlie Dixon (Omitted), Steven Motlop (Omitted)
GIANTS
IN: Phil Davis, Adam Kennedy, Jackson Hately
OUT: Lachlan Keeffe (Omitted), Brett Deledio (Managed), Jake Stein (Omitted)
Sunday July 28, 1.10pm: Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
IN: Dale Morris, Rhylee West, Ed Richards, Will Hayes, Bailey Williams, Jordon Sweet
OUT: Josh Schache (Injured), Matthew Suckling (Injured)
DOCKERS
IN: Nat Fyfe, Hayden Ballantyne, Bailey Banfield, Mitchell Crowden, Lachie Schultz
OUT: Cam McCarthy (Omitted)
Sunday July 28, 3.20pm: Sydney vs Geelong, SCG
SWANS
IN: Jordan Dawson, Daniel Menzel, Kieren Jack, Ben Ronke, James Rose
OUT: Will Hayward (Injured)
CATS
IN: Zac Smith, Jack Henry, Quinton Narkle, Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood, Sam Simpson
OUT: Zach Tuohy (Managed), Gary Rohan (Managed)
Sunday July 28, 4.40pm: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Metricon Stadium
SUNS
IN: Lachie Weller, Anthony Miles, George Horlin-Smith, Jack Leslie, Jez McLennan
OUT: Will Brodie (Injured)
BOMBERS
IN: Zac Clarke, David Myers, Jayden Laverde, Mark Baguley, Ben McNiece, Josh Begley
OUT: Conor McKenna (Managed), Dyson Heppell (Injured)
Originally published as AFL Teams, Round 19 | Eddie Betts, Charlie Dixon axed for round 19
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