Hawks skipper Ben Stratton says Blake Hardwick is the man for Eddie Betts

Ben Stratton will embark on his new role as Hawthorn captain against Adelaide next Saturday, but he is just as excited about handing over a big job to teammate Blake Hardwick.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — MARCH 15: Ben Stratton of the Hawks poses during the AFL 2019 Captain's Day at Marvel Stadium on March 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Ben Stratton will embark on his new role as Hawthorn captain against Adelaide next Saturday, but he is just as excited about handing over the Eddie Betts reins to teammate Blake Hardwick.

Stratton and Betts have staged a fascinating rivalry in recent seasons, but after Hardwick did such a good job on the dangerous Crows forward last year, the Hawks skipper reckons he can keep the job.

“I usually get Eddie Betts, but Blake Hardwick did a really good job (in 2018),” Stratton said at his first AFL Captain’s Day.

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“So maybe I am relieved of my Eddie Betts duties after four or five years.”

Hawk Ben Stratton is happy to avoid Eddie Betts next week. Pic: Getty Images

“Chasing him around for a couple of years for four quarters is mentally draining … you have to be on all the time.

“The thing about Eddie is that he only needs three kicks and he kicks three goals, and it happen just like that.”

“Tex (Taylor Walker) and those boys are dangerous, and they will have a real point to prove.”

Stratton has tipped the Crows to be one of the most improved teams of the season, saying: “last year was a bit of an anomaly, I reckon … I hear they have been going very well in the preseason and won both their JLT games.

Ben Stratton is used to chasing Eddie Betts around. Pic: Michael Klein