Adelaide Crows midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen says Eddie Betts has been crucial in his rise this year
CAM Ellis-Yolmen has been one of the feel-good stories for the Crows this year in his return from a knee reconstruction. He reveals how teammate Eddie Betts has been a crucial influence — on the field and off.
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ADELAIDE’S Cam Ellis-Yolmen has singled out Eddie Betts as instrumental in the revival of his career.
Ellis-Yolmen has been one of the highlights for the Crows this season; he was delisted at the end of last season and only found himself back through a spot on the rookie list.
But this year has been his best.
Ellis-Yolmen had played only 14 games in six seasons at the club ahead of this year — and missed all of last year to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament — but has played all 10 games this season and made a fine contribution in the midfield.
Alongside fellow big-bodied midfielder Hugh Greenwood, his work has helped save the Crows bacon as they sit on a 6-4 record despite suffering from an unprecedented injury curse.
Ellis-Yolmen, 25, is finally delivering on his vast promise.
He puts much of it down to the support of teammates and coaches, and fellow indigenous player Eddie Betts in particular.
Like Betts, who was a troubled soul earlier in his career at Carlton, things are falling into place for Ellis-Yolmen.
He was quick to single out his mentor as he was preparing for this week’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round match against GWS at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
“All the players around me have been really good,” Ellis-Yolmen said. “But obviously somebody like Eddie Betts … I really look up to him for the things he does on the field and off the field.
“He’s a really big role model for me and he helps me out a lot, not just with the stuff on the field.
“His life outside of footy is something that I strive for.
“He’s got a really great family and he seems like he’s got a lot of things going right.
“He’s been really influential in how I’ve been going and how I’ve come back this year.”
Ellis-Yolmen has found his own niche this season after all that time on the sidelines.
When the opposition has a big-framed midfielder — think Nat Fyfe, Patrick Cripps or Marcus Bontempelli — Ellis-Yolmen and Greenwood have been the logical players to run with him.
Ellis-Yolmen has relished the challenge to run alongside some of the best in the business.
“It’s been good, playing against guys like Patty Cripps, (Marcus) Bontempelli and guys like that,” Ellis-Yolmen said. “They’re obviously bigger midfielders and I’ve got a bigger body so it’s good challenge for me — my type of role.
“I’m learning from it.”
Ellis-Yolmen’s knee reconstruction last year — it was his second, the first happening when he was just 16 — appears consigned to the memory bank.
Part of the reason he has had such a breakout year is that he finally feels injury free.
“It’s been normal; that’s the best thing,” Ellis-Yolmen said. “I haven’t had to ice it or felt any pain after games.
“The rehab that I did last year — credit to (physiotherapist) Duncan Kellaway for all the stuff that he did — the rehab I did last year was really good for it and I haven’t had any problems.”
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