Carlton and Adelaide legend Eddie Betts calls time on AFL career

One of the most popular AFL players of the modern era will run out for the last time this weekend after more than 15 years in the top flight.

Eddie Betts, one of the AFL’s most beloved players, will retire at the end of the season.

Speculation that Betts would make a call on his future came to a head on Monday evening, when the Carlton small forward called time on his career through an Instagram post.

The three-time All-Australian will play his 350th and final AFL game against the Giants this weekend, becoming just the 19th player and third Indigenous man — after Adam Goodes and Shaun Burgoyne — to reach the milestone.

Betts played 132 games for the Crows between 2014 and 2019. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

“Thanks for sticking by me through the highs and lows,” Betts wrote on Instagram.

“I hope at some point in my career I was able to put a smile on your face. If I did, I’m happy and my work is done here.

“Thank you to @carlton_fc & @adelaide_fc clubs, fans, especially staff, coaches and players and their families and all fans of our game. To all the people who played a part in my career, it could never be done on my own.

“My family, back home for teaching and raising me that it’s always important to look out for others and be selfless in the way we go about things. We will only get better if we look after each other. You got me here.

“To Anna & the kids. Words can’t really explain the love and inspiration I get from you all.

“Looking forward to seeing you all come with me on the next ride.”

Mason Cox, Mitch Robinson and Cameron Ellis-Yolmen were among the AFL stars to pay tribute to Betts and his career on social media.

So much respect for this man. I hope he continues to be a voice of reason to the community. ❤️ https://t.co/tc7qWXRTGM

— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) August 16, 2021

What a career, so grateful I got to play alongside you! Game won’t be same without Eddie Betts. pic.twitter.com/ZAMpwFeIVS

— Mitch Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) August 16, 2021

Congratulations Uncle!!! pic.twitter.com/44Y6NiYf1G

— Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (@Cam_EllisYolmen) August 16, 2021

Carlton coach David Teague wished Betts, with whom he played during his own AFL career, all the best in retirement.

“Eddie is one of the game’s most loved characters and he leaves behind an incredible legacy at our club and in our game,” Teague said.

“He has had a significant impact both on and off the field throughout an unbelievable career, of which I’m honoured to have been a part of, both as a teammate and a coach.

“To have him impart his experience and wisdom on to our younger players over the last two years has been great for our entire group.

“Eddie is loved by everyone, whether you’re a Carlton person or not, that tells you all you need to know about the mark this man has left on our game.

“On behalf of everyone at the Carlton Football Club, we wish Eddie all the very best.”

Ken Hinkley and Simon Goodwin, the coaches of Port Adelaide and Melbourne respectively, lauded Betts’ contribution to the game on Monday night’s episode of AFL 360.

“He’s just been an absolute superstar of the game,” said Hinkley, who coached against Betts in Showdowns during the small forward’s time at the Crows.

“I love watching him play, I’ve said this a number of times, I used to love watching Eddie Betts play, except for when we had to play him.

“He could do unbelievable things, and he’s been able to do that right through to this year.

“He’s an absolute champion of the game.”

Goodwin added: “What a champion. What he’s given the game, what he’s done.”

“He’s one of the great players who you’d want to come and watch. There’s probably three players who get you through the turnstiles at footy: It’s Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli and Eddie Betts.

“That’s the sort of esteem that you’d put him in.”

Teague (L) and Betts (R) played 24 games together at Carlton.

Carlton selected Betts with pick three of the 2004 pre-season draft. He played 184 games for the Blues across nine seasons before joining the Crows in 2014.

While at West Lakes, he played in the 2017 Grand Final, where Adelaide suffered defeat at the hands of the Tigers.

A crafty small forward with phenomenal ball skills and a knack for fooling opposition defenders, Betts is both the only player to win Goal of the Year four times and the only player to win the award in consecutive seasons.

He was Adelaide’s leading goalkicker in four of six seasons at the club and Carlton’s in both 2010 and 2012.

Off the field, Betts will be remembered for his activism, consistently using his profile as an AFL star to fight against racism.

Most recently, he delivered an impassioned plea to all Australians after Crows forward Taylor Walker was found to have made a racist comment at a SANFL game in July.

Betts, a former teammate of Walker’s, urged AFL fans to educate themselves and have difficult conversations around racism.

“We need to start having those conversations in the workplace, in the schooling. The only way we’re going to work together is when we start educating ourselves,” Betts said on AFL 360.

“I can’t do it, I can’t, it’s hard. And I need everyone, I need you guys, I need the people at home tonight watching this.

“You guys that are sitting at home on the couch, you guys are going to be the ones with the powerful voice here, you guys are going to be the ones to make change. Because I can’t keep doing it.”

Teague previously hinted that there would be an off-field role for Betts at Carlton upon his retirement, but with Teague’s own future up in the air, it remains to be seen whether or not the star small forward will feature in Carlton’s future after the curtain comes down on his legendary playing career.

Originally published as Carlton and Adelaide legend Eddie Betts calls time on AFL career