AFL great Eddie Betts will take the field in an Anzac Day local footy blockbuster
AFL great Eddie Betts will make his much-anticipated local footy comeback in an Anzac Day blockbuster on Friday.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Eddie Betts will take the field in an Anzac Day local footy blockbuster.
The AFL great to suit up for Northern league club Fitzroy Stars on Friday against Old Eltham Collegians at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval.
Betts officially registered with the Stars earlier in the year, confirming he would pull on the boots for the first time since a one-off match for Wangaratta Rovers last year.
The 350-game, 640-goal great has previously played for the Stars in the annual VACSAL indigenous football tournament but this will be the first regular season match.
He will reunite with former Palmerston teammate and long-time on-field AFL rival Neville Jetta, who coaches Fitzroy.
Jetta said any opportunity to have Betts pull on a Stars guernsey would be massive for all involved.
"We have a great relationship and had a lot of great battles on the AFL field, then we got to play at Palmerston together, so I’m looking forward to sharing the field with him again," he said.
"He's got five kids, he’s got the Eddie Betts Foundation that he's running, so there might be a few games but I can’t put an exact number on it.
"Whenever we get him down, whether it be training or games it will be great for our club and great for the Northern footy league."
Fitzroy Stars will be looking to continue their perfect start to the season after winning its opening two matches, defeating premiership rivals Laurimar by 24 points and Mernda by 47.
It will be a hard attack to top for Old Eltham defenders.
While he is unlikely to be available due to VFL commitments, star forward Patty Farrant booted eight goals in the Round 1 win over the Power, while Western Australian recruit Elijah Taylor kicked six against the Demons.
Old Eltham lost its season-opener to Heidelberg West before bouncing back with a 36-point win over Reservoir.
The likes of Tim Ellis, Daniel Hallett or Liam Rushton-McCoach could get the job on Betts.
The Division 3 match will be one of three NFNL Anzac Day fixtures as Heidelberg hosts Banyule in Division 1 and Northcote Park welcomes Thomastown in Division 2.
EDDIE BETTS SET FOR LOCAL FOOTY COMEBACK
Eddie Betts will pull the boots on at local footy level this season.
The Carlton and Adelaide great has signed on at Northern league club Fitzroy Stars.
It is understood Betts won’t just be a one-off guest appearance either, preparing to play a run of games for the Division 3 premiership favourite.
The 350-game, 640-goal great has previously played for the Stars in the annual VACSAL indigenous football tournament but this will be the first time he has suited up for a regular season match.
The Stars confirmed the news on Wednesday night.
“All Betts are on for the Stars to shine in 2025. We can’t wait to see Eddie Betts run out in a Star jumper again, this time in our regular season,” the club’s social media post read.
Betts has often played one-off matches, featuring for Ovens and Murray club Wangaratta Rovers last season.
He last regularly played in 2023, making six appearances for Palmerston Magpies in the Northern Territory league, kicking 17 goals.
Hundreds of local footy clubs take a stand against violence
Clubs and players from across the state will come together to say no to violence on and off the field and support a foundation started after a footy player died from a coward punch nine years ago. More here.
‘Collaborative and strategic’: AFL Victoria unveils transfer shake-up
Local footy clubs looking for a new home from next season will have until the end of next month to lodge an application as part of AFL Vic’s stringent new transfer guidelines. Latest here.