Adelaide captain Taylor Walker praises forward Eddie Betts for 300-game wonder-goal
Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walker says teammate Eddie Betts’ 300th-game wonder goal was a direct result of his efforts in training every day, with the star forward nominated to win the goal of the year gong for the fourth time.
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Eddie Betts is in line to win the AFL’s goal of the year for the fourth time while teammate Lachlan Murphy has been called out for his courage going back with the flight of the footy on the weekend.
Betts’ incredible left-foot checkside from the boundary off two steps in Adelaide’s win over Gold Coast was one of three nominations for mark of the year from Round 5 along with Geelong’s Gary Ablett and Fremantle’s Brandon Matera.
Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walker says Betts’ 300th-game wonder goal was a direct result of the star forward’s efforts in training every day.
Betts stole the show on Sunday, kicking six majors as the Crows cruised to a 73-point victory over Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval.
The three-time All Australian’s haul included a stunning left-foot checkside effort from the pocket in the fourth quarter, set to rank highly among his glittering career highlights.
The 300-gamer has previously won goal of the year from the same pocket at Adelaide Oval when he kept the ball in play against GWS and managed to put it through after dancing around his Giants opponents in 2016. He has also won the award in 2015 and 2006 while playing for Carlton.
Meanwhile, Murphy’s courageous effort to go back with the flight of the ball inside 50m cost him a goal but has earnt him a nomination for mark of the year.
Murphy copped heavy contact from Jarrod Harbrow which meant he was unable to get up and take his kick but he earnt widespread praise for his efforts. It was the second time he’d done that in the same game against the Suns after taking a similar mark in the middle of the ground in the first half.
Walker said the early contender for goal of the year was down hard work, not luck.
“I was right behind him (when Betts kicked the goal),” Walker told Triple M on Tuesday morning.
“I thought ‘this cannot go in’.
“It’s amazing because he practises and practises those kinds of things at training and, more often than not, he kicks them.
“It’s not a fluke, he does it too often.
“The day before the game we were watching his highlights package, as you do for a milestone game, and it went for about nine or 10 minutes.
“I was sitting there and I felt like I was at a movie and needed popcorn.”
Walker booted three goals as the Crows bounced back from consecutive defeats to move to a 2-3 record.
But the Adelaide spearhead was happy for Betts to hog the limelight following his standout display.
“It was one his best games this year on the weekend and he can overshadow whatever he wants,” Walker, 28, said.
“He loves welcoming people into his life and he just loves putting on a show for his supporters.
“On Sunday he certainly did that.
“It was awesome to be able to play in a game like that and be able to get the win for a guy of his calibre.”
Walker expressed his disappointment at broadcaster Channel 7 showing the Crows match on delay on free-to-air TV, as Fox Footy was awarded the live rights to the clash.
He praised his side for improving its work around the contest against the Suns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Docklands to face second-placed St Kilda.
“It was a good win, but we can’t get too carried away,” Walker said.
“We’ve got to keep the ball rolling now.
“The Saints are in good form … so we’ve got to go over there with a bit more confidence than the last couple of weeks.
“They’re going to be tough to beat.”
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