Eddie Betts opens up on his retirement and what’s next for the AFL great
Eddie Betts has revealed how a recent phone conversation with Adam Goodes reinforced the importance of calling out ongoing racist behaviour.
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Retiring Carlton great Eddie Betts says AFL football is still not a safe workplace for Indigenous players, revealing a recent phone conversation with Adam Goodes reinforced the importance of calling out ongoing racist behaviour.
Betts, 34, will bow out of the game as a player on Saturday night following his 350th game, but says he has no intention of walking away from the ongoing fight against racism.
And he says he is as proud of his stance against racism as anything else he has achieved in his breathtaking 17-season AFL career.
“I will keep standing up for what I believe in and that’s (bringing an end to) racism here in Australia,” Betts said.
“When I am done with footy, I am going to be there for the rest of the Aboriginal boys who are still playing. I am still going to help them, be their support, and still be a shoulder to lean on. I will still use my voice.”
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Betts said a conversation last week with Goodes – the AFL’s most decorated Indigenous footballer who cut ties with the game after a relentless booing campaign brought on his retirement in 2015 – highlighted the need to keep fighting for the sake of the next wave of Aboriginal stars.
“I don’t feel like it is safe at the moment, I honestly don’t,” Betts said.
“I feel like there is still a lot of racism … this year there has been a lot of racism and it has been draining and it has been tiring.
“Every year we see myself and a lot of the Aboriginal boys standing up and trying to call it out, trying to make a stand,
“Speaking to (AFL chief executive) Gill (McLachlan) recently, (I said) ‘we have got to be stronger’. We have got to somehow catch these people and make them accountable for what they say online or over the fence.”
The racism storm triggered by Betts’ former Adelaide teammate Taylor Walker – who was banned for six matches and fined $20,000 last week after making a racist slur at a recent SANFL match – had been “tough” and “draining” for the entire Indigneous community.
An emotional Betts called Goodes last week to tell him he was going to retire after two stints at Carlton and one at Adelaide.
“I was driving to training (last week), and I thought I would call up Adam,” he said. “I had a good chat with him for half an hour, to get some advice and to see how he dealt with it.
“I said to him ‘I am probably going to hang up the boots next week’. He gave me some support and guidance and said ‘mate the next chapter of life is going to be pretty special … I can’t wait to catch up with you for a nice glass of red’.”
Goodes’ heartbreaking withdrawal from the game six years ago gave Betts the impetus to initially start speaking out against racist comments he and other players have frequently experienced.
“Watching what Adam went through and what he received wasn’t nice to see,” he said.
“He gave me that voice, strength and courage to stand up and try to stamp out racism in Australia, to call it out when I see it. (We need to) educate people, and that’s probably one thing that I am really proud of doing in the later stages of my journey in the AFL.”
Betts is preparing to set up a foundation to assist with the Indigneous community in his post-football life as well as work towards ensuring a safer experience for all AFL footballers.
THE TIGER DRAFT PICK THAT SENT BETTS TO THE BLUES
Marc McGowan
Carlton and Adelaide great Eddie Betts has revealed the toughest part of his emotional retirement was breaking the news to his football-addicted son, Lewis.
In Betts’ official farewell speech to players and staff – ahead of his 350th and final match – he said he was “really sad” when he found out three weeks ago he wasn’t going to receive a contract for next year.
“The hard part was going home and telling my son, Lewy, who just (lives and) breathes footy,” Betts said.
“He loves footy, he loves this football club and he started crying to me. I said, ‘Don’t worry, mate, the next chapter is going to be good’ and he said, ‘What’s more fun than footy? You can’t beat footy’.”
Betts said his post-playing life would be dedicated to educating people about racism and trying to end it.
“I believe I have a big part to play in the next chapter in my life here in Australia and throughout the AFL industry as well,” he said.
“That’s stamping out racism and I’m going to continue to do that. I’m going to continue to try and make change here in Australia throughout Australia.
“You heard me pour my heart out on Fox Footy and I can’t do that all by myself. I need every single one of you guys and girls here to help.
“It’s you guys who are going to make change for us to move forward when it comes to racism, and I mean that. Don’t underestimate the power in you guys’ voices.”
Only 28 VFL/AFL footballers have kicked more than Betts’ 638 goals and he will join Bulldogs legend Doug Hawkins this weekend on 350 matches, the equal 18th-most.
But Betts explained that none of that may have happened if Richmond hadn’t picked ruckman Trent Knobel at No. 1 in the 2005 pre-season draft – two picks before the Blues selected Betts.
Both Knobel and Betts were training at Carlton, which needed a ruckman. Knobel played 21 games for the Tigers before his career ended the next year.
“ ‘Bulldog’ was our property steward, Wayne. He was very down to earth, very straight and he told you how he felt,” Betts said.
“I ended up getting picked up at No. 3 and Richmond took Trent Knobel at No. 1 in the pre-season draft.
“I walked through the doors and I remember looking at Bulldog and he goes, ‘If that’s our ruckman, we’re in trouble – he’s the smallest guy on the field’.”
Betts also discussed his strong bond with long-time Carlton administrator and recruiter Shane O’Sullivan, who his five children – Lewis, Billy, twins Alice and Maggie and Eddie Betts IV – refer to as ‘Poppa Shaneo’.
“I didn’t grow up with a father figure, (because) my mum and dad split up when I was young,” he said.
“I am still close with my dad, we still speak, but when I walked through the doors, ‘Shaneo’ took me under his wing and was like that father figure for me.
“I got in trouble a few times as well, and I walked into Shaneo’s office and he basically just told me straight and that I needed to be around the players.
“I almost quit one time. I was on my way to Sydney, I rang Shaneo crying … he convinced me to stay and to continue playing footy and basically saved my career.”
Betts credited his wife, Anna, with helping him find his “voice” and moulding the person he became, and thanked his family for getting him through a period when he fell out of love with football.
He urged everyone in the playing group to figure out their role and contribute to resurrecting the Blues’ on-field fortunes.
“I was brought up back home by mum and dad, through strong Aboriginal culture … and we treated each other with respect and everyone had a role to play,” Betts said.
“We had a hard life growing up, but when everyone came together and had a part in our life, good outcomes came from it and that’s how we survived, that’s how we lived.
“If there’s anything I would say to you guys, it’s that this is your home. No one cares about the number on your back – the logo on the front is you guys’ home.
“Respect each other, look after each other, care for one another and treat everyone equally.
“Make your teammate the best person he could possibly be and make him the best player he could be, because everyone in this room has a role to play.
“If everyone plays their role and their part, sooner or later this club’s going to have success, and that’s where we need to be – back playing finals footy.
“So I want to thank you guys. I have one more ride left in me. Let’s go out with a bang, hey?”
HOW THE EDDIE NEWS FIRST BROKE
Jay Clark, Sam Landsberger
Carlton and Adelaide star goal kicker Eddie Betts has paid an emotional tribute to his biggest supporters ahead of his 350th and final game this weekend.
Betts, who is one of the most electric goal kickers in recent history and a leader in the fight against racism, confirmed on social media it was time to call an end to his wonderful career.
The dazzling small forward said it brought him great joy entertaining fans with his football exploits.
“Thanks for sticking by me through the highs and lows,” Betts posted 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 here is done here.
“Thank you to Carlton and Adelaide Football 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 is 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 and 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.”
Betts, 34, was brought back to Carlton two years ago after a scintillating stint at Adelaide where he helped lead them to the 2017 Grand Final against Richmond.
He has booted 38 goals in 33 games in navy blue over the past two years and is expected to be selected in his final game against Greater Western Sydney to farewell the game.
LIST CHANGES: EVERY RETIREMENT AND DELISTING FOR 2021
It has been a draining few weeks for Betts, who last week courageously bared his soul on how damaging and exhausting his ongoing crusade against racism had become.
The magical goalkicker revealed last week he felt physically fresh and ready to suit up for an 18th season in the forward pocket.
The cult hero and proud Indigenous man will bow out as the 19th player in VFL-AFL history to reach 350 games.
Betts has booted 638 goals and won three All-Australian jumpers as he wowed all footy fans, particularly those seated in Eddie’s pocket at Adelaide Oval where he slotted some of the more remarkable goals ever seen.
The match against the Giants is also expected to be coach David Teague’s final in charge in what shapes as another highly emotional week at Ikon Park.
Teague expects the board to let him know after that game whether his contract for 2022 will be honoured.
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