How Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron formed a bond they hope will carry them to premiership glory
ADELAIDE excitement machines Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron open up on their brotherly bond on and off the field as they prepare for Saturday’s AFL Grand Final against Richmond at the MCG.
MORE like brothers than teammates, Adelaide’s Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron share a special bond off the field that translates to electrifying chemistry on it. Born for the big stage, this Saturday they will take flight in the most important game of their lives and can’t wait to experience it together.
Eddie, you had to take a back seat to Charlie last Friday night?
Eddie: “Hopefully it happens more often, it was good to watch. Did you see my reaction on the bench when he took that speccy? I didn’t know he could get up that high. All the boys on the bench were saying ‘he’s a bad man’.”
Charlie: “I guess I got lucky, you’ve just got to go for it and I ended up getting up there.”
Charlie you got the first goal and Eddie you got the second inside two minutes?
Eddie: “We needed to start well and this year our starts haven’t been the best, but the two finals we have played against GWS and Geelong our starts have been unreal so hopefully there’s one more game to go.”
A few people said Charlie looked like another Number 23 who used to go alright in big finals for Adelaide?
Eddie: “He (McLeod) kicked seven in a prelim as well and won the Norm Smith ...”
Charlie: “I’m proud wearing the jumper and I guess I’ve just got to live up to the name but it’s tough trying to live up to that standard.”
You both arrived at the club in late 2013, what was your first impression of each other?
Eddie: “To be honest he reminded me of Jeff Garlett, exactly the same size, he was shy, reserved, quiet and cheeky.”
Charlie: “He was so caring and made me feel welcome, him and his family, I can’t thank them enough. There were a few stars around so I was pretty starstruck.”
What sort of housemate did each of you make?
Eddie: “He was tired and he slept on the couch a lot, only because first year you come into the AFL and pre-season drains you a lot. I asked him ‘why are you sleeping so much?’ and he used to say he was jet-lagged from coming over from Perth’.”
Charlie: “He wasn’t too bad at cooking but I just liked watching him playing with Lewie that put a smile on his face.”
Eddie: “The day Charlie moved out we found out that Anna was pregnant with Billy ... one kid out one kid in.”
How close have you become now?
Eddie: “I guess the group we have here we’ve become a pretty tight unit. It’s like a family within a family, with everything that’s happened at the Crows since I’ve got here - Dean Bailey, Phil Walsh, (injury to) Brent Reilly, and a few other issues, it’s brought the group really tight. Then within that we’ve got the (indigenous) brothers.”
Charlie: “You can always rely on the support of your family back home but with Eddie, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Curtly (Hampton) and Wayne (Milera) they have helped me out, they’ve made a big impact on my time in Adelaide.”
What’s with your own unique goal celebrations?
Eddie: “He’s got a few - the little pot stirrer. Mine is just arms out. At Carlton I used to make a little ‘A’ because I was in a little gang but Mitchy Robinson stole it so I put it away and I came up with a new one.”
Charlie: “It’s just me and Tex have a little thing, just something different, I saw it in an NFL game.”
Eddie: “If you look at West Coast and Lewis Jetta he’s copying all the celebrations from the NBA - the LeBron one. When you kick a goal the adrenaline is pumped up and you don’t even know you’re doing it.”
Where does your mind go when you stop and think that you’re in an AFL Grand Final this weekend?
Eddie: “My mind at the moment still doesn’t believe we’re in one. I’ve watched every Grand Final, watched the week, I’m normally in Melbourne doing some clinics. It’s weird but you’ve got to focus and not let it drain you. Ever since I was growing up I dreamt of playing in an AFL Grand Final and hopefully we can make it come true.”
Charlie: “I’m just excited, I’ll take it all in, I’m only a young player and the older guys every year speak about trying to make it to a Grand Final, as Richie Douglas always says - don’t take it for granted and enjoy it’.”
Have you played in a Grand Final at any level?
Charlie: “I played one in country footy but we didn’t win. I’ve played in a baseball and rugby league grand final but that’s it.”
Eddie: “We won back-to-back in Calder Cannons in under-18s and I played in an under-17s back in Port Lincoln for Mallee Park in 2001.”
You’ve played in a couple of wooden spoons too?
Eddie: “Yep, we won the Wizard Cup at the start and the wooden spoon at the end of the year.”
Have you reached out to anyone this finals series or heard from anyone in particular?
Eddie: “This finals series I’ve been in contact with Shauny Burgoyne he spoke to me and gave me a little bit of advice and he gave me a pump up to say things like ‘they can’t defend you, you were built for this stage’ and Byron Pickett got in contact with me and said ‘enjoy the week’ because he’s been there twice before.”
How far and wide are your families coming from for the Grand Final?
Charlie: “My dad is coming from Newman in WA because he’s got work off, and my mum and grandmother are coming from a place called Mornington Island, they’ll fly to Cairns then Cairns to Brisbane and Melbourne. All those flights are really expensive because of North Queensland (NRL) people coming down.”
Eddie: “One of my sisters is coming from Newman as well, she’ll fly to Perth and then to Melbourne, my mum and aunty and brother are coming from Kalgoorlie and my other brother is coming from Port Lincoln and my dad rang me and he’s trying to get over from Port Lincoln as well.”
A few Crows supporters are a bit nervous this might be your last game for the club Charlie, but you’re contracted for next year?
Eddie: “He’s not going.”
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