Eddie Betts says he’s worried but excited about his Fitzroy Stars debut on Anzac Day
AFL great Eddie Betts will make his debut for Fitzroy Stars on Anzac Day and has one cheeky requirement for rival-turned-mate Neville Jetta.
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Eddie Betts hasn’t pulled the boots on since July last year.
His last kick, a dribble competition against Brad Johnson in the halls of the Adelaide Advertiser earlier this month.
So it’s understandable he’s a little apprehensive about his Fitzroy Stars and Northern league debut, bringing star power to an Anzac Day clash with Old Eltham Collegians at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve on Friday.
“I’m a bit worried to be honest, because I haven’t been training,” Betts said.
“I’m always keeping fit so, no, it’s exciting. I can’t wait.
“I’m working Thursday night and on the Friday night in the studio, so I’ll have to rush off straight after the game – hopefully I don’t have a cut lip.”
Betts retired in 2021 after 350 AFL games and 640 goals with Carlton and Adelaide, third and second most all-time among indigenous players.
The 38-year-old played one game for Ovens and Murray club Wangaratta Rovers, his wife’s hometown club, last season.
He’ll team up with fellow ex-AFL star and Palmerston teammate Neville Jetta, coach of the Fitzroy Stars.
However, he had a clear message for his coach.
“I told Nev, I’m not leaving the 50,” Betts said.
“If I play I’ll stay inside the forward 50m, I’ll lead up but don’t expect me to chase out.
“I’m 39 this year, but I still love playing footy, I’m competitive and passionate.
“I mainly asked what the structures are, I’ll be there to help as well, help guide and be that footy knowledge in the forward line.”
Fitzroy Stars have made a strong start to the Division 3 season, defeating premiership rivals Laurimar and Mernda by 24 and 43 points respectively.
While VFL-listed star Patty Farrant is expected to miss, Betts will add to a forward line that boasts the likes of Elijah Taylor, coming off six goals against Mernda, Alex Williamson and Kyle Wheatley.
Importantly, it isn’t the first time Betts has pulled on a Fitzroy Stars jumper.
He represented the club at the VACSAL indigenous football carnival in 2023, playing alongside the likes of Jetta, Kain Proctor, Jai Burns, Allan Norris and Ethan Penrith.
“Fitzroy Stars has a rich history, an indigenous side in Victoria, and to have a club like that … it’s like a home away from home,” Betts said.
“I have played for Fitzroy Stars before … we won the Koori carnival down in Torquay, Nev asked me to come down, out of the blue – it started the next day but I thought why not.
“Neville is one of my closest mates, I played against and with Nev and now he’s coach.
“I’ve been down to watch a few games and obviously hear of all the wonderful stuff they’re doing with the next generation of indigenous kids coming through.”
Betts is doing good work with indigenous youth himself, running the Eddie Betts Foundation.
He took a group of young players from across Australia to Fitzroy Stars to hear from Jetta and one student, Joharo Harvey-Connellan, is currently on the Stars’ list.
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“I’ve got the Eddie Betts Foundation and every year we bring out 28-30 kids from all over Australia to Melbourne,” Betts said.
“Last week was that week, we went down to Fitzroy Stars to show the history of an indigenous club in Melbourne and Nev spoke to the players.
“One of my boys, he’s 17, he plays for Stars as well – he’s the ruck – he played reserves last week but hopefully he can come up and we can play together. He’s a jet.”
Fitzroy Stars hosts Old Eltham Collegians at Sir Doug Nicholls Reserve on Friday, with the first bounce at 2.10pm.
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