‘One of the biggest hangers I’ve ever seen’: Taylor Walker talks up Eddie Betts mark in internal trial

Adelaide captain Taylor Walker has revealed veteran small forward Eddie Betts will be at his exciting best in 2019 after taking a huge mark during a Crows internal trial on the weekend. See footage of the amazing grab here.

Taylor Walker has some marking practice at Football Park. Picture: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards

• Back to the future for Fogarty
• Power battle for ruck spot
• Silk eyes record
• Record-breaking Marinoff
• AFLW’s growing pains

If the preseason is anything to go on, then Eddie Betts could add a Mark of the Year award in 2019 to the three Goal of the Year prizes already in his possession.

Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walker revealed on Wednesday morning spring-heeled veteran Betts, 32, took one of the best grabs he had witnessed over ruckman Paul Hunter in an internal Crows trial match at Football Park on Saturday.

“I saw Eddie Betts take one of the biggest hangers I’ve ever seen in AFL footy,” Walker told Triple M’s Roo and Ditts.

“It was on one of our ruckman too, which made it even bigger.”

Crows legend Mark Ricciuto, who also saw the mark, said it would have been a Mark of the Year contender.

“A huge grab,” Ricciuto said. “It’s a pity it was wasted when it was a closed session.”

That's one of the biggest hangers we've ever seen! 👀✈️ #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/AYkaArvT3F

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) February 19, 2019

I agree Brodie

— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) February 19, 2019

Walker said the match simulation was a really good hit out, with Brad Crouch among those to impress as he returns from a year on the sidelines with a chronic groin injury.

“Wayne Milera was outstanding, Brodie Smith was back to his best, Brad Crouch got a fair bit of it, Tommy Lynch was outstanding and young Chayce Jones played some good footy as well,” Walker, who spent of time in the backline, said.

“We’ve got a healthy list at the moment which I’m excited about it.”

Crouch will play for the Crows in an under-23 trial game rival Port Adelaide at Thebarton Oval.

The Crows have said second-year defender Andrew McPherson is the only player on list expected to be unavailable for the start of the season as he recovers from a groin issue.

Crows co-captain Taylor Walker at training at Football Park last week. Picture: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards

Small defender Luke Brown (Achilles/ankle), key defenders Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan (knees) and big-bodied midfielder/forward Hugh Greenwood (abdominal strain) are all in doubt for the club’s first JLT Series match but could see some action in the second against GWS in Canberra on March 8.

Perennial Goal of the Year contender and three-time winner Betts won a nomination for Mark of the Year in Round 22 for a game-saving grab in Adelaide’s 9-point win over North Melbourne.

Eddie Betts’ Round 22 grab against North Melbourne which won a Mark of the Year nomination. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

He will join Crows teammates Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Rory Laird, and co-captain Rory Sloane in making the trip to Melbourne for AFLX on Friday when he captains the Deadly team.

Walker will be in the commentary box for AFLX alongside James Brayshaw and Luke Darcy.

Every game of every round of the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. SIGN UP NOW!