AFL 2021: Greater Western Sydney Giants defeat Carlton Blues in Eddie Betts’ last career game

In Eddie Betts’ 350th and final AFL game, the Blues held their own against the Giants but couldn’t come away with the four points.

Betts and Casboult kicked two goals each on Saturday night but it wasn’t enough to snatch victory from the Giants. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton was unable to see off the retiring Eddie Betts and Levi Casboult in style as yet another second half Blues fade out helped secure Greater Western Sydney a finals spot.

While it was a celebration for these Carlton figures in their final match, the 14-point loss looms as coach David Teague’s last at the helm with the findings of the Blues’ impending review to come to a head in the coming days.

Betts (nine disposals and two goals) had some almost moments late as an Ed Curnow-inspired Blues fought tooth and nail, until a fitting highlight late in the piece.

The 34-year-old put the finishing touches on an illustrious 350-game career in the dying minutes with a fluent pick-up, baulk and right foot banana goal on the run.

But it seems an injustice that one of the greatest showmen in VFL/AFL history had to bow out in front of no spectators.

Betts will have a lasting impact on the game – both on the football field with his goalkicking magic and forward craft, and off it as an inspiration for Indigenous Australians and a prominent figure in the fight against racism.

The Giants wore their Indigenous guernsey in a touching tribute to Betts.

While Betts stole the spotlight, Casboult excelled in his final AFL game.

A fan favourite and whipping boy for Blues fans at different times his 154-game career, Casboult finished with eight disposals, two goals and 10 hitouts, giving supporters something else to smile about by bringing out his famous double cobra.

The Giants move into seventh spot on the ladder and a Battle of the Bridge showdown against Sydney looms in week one of the finals.

Hardened midfielder Callan Ward (28 disposals and two goals) was superb for the Giants, while Ed Curnow sparked the Blues with four goals.

Weitering underlined his All-Australian claims with an imposing performance down back, keeping his direct opponent Harry Himmelberg to one goal.

Blues captain Patrick Cripps – who racked up 17 handballs without logging a kick – was subbed out of the game in the third term with a minor foot injury.

Levi Casboult (L) and Eddie Betts (R) ran out for their final games in navy blue on Saturday. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Retirees combine

Betts and Casboult have played six seasons together and the outgoing pair combined like they had a telepathic bond to put Betts on the scoreboard.

With young Giants defender Connor Idun drawn into the contest and leaving the dangerous small forward alone, Casboult cleverly palmed the ball over his head to the open Betts who did the rest from close range.

The major was the 639th of his career and his 138th at Marvel Stadium, adding another later in the night.

Old habits die hard

Carlton fans have seen this movie before.

A period of the contest had Teague’s fingerprints all over it, with the Blues outfit conceding five consecutive goals from the late stages of the second quarter until a Curnow goal broke the streak.

It was the 23rd time the Blues have conceded a streak of five goals in a row in Teague’s 49 games as senior coach.

The Giants will make their return to finals footy in 2021. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Welcome to the candy shop

It might not have been an essential service but Jacob Hopper’s candy shop was open for business at Marvel Stadium.

The hard-nosed midfielder showed he has some tricks up his sleeve by selling candy to three Blues defenders with a trio of baulks before finishing truly with a banana from a tight angle.

The exciting manoeuvre was right out of the Betts playbook.

Skipper sub

The curious case of Stephen Coniglio continued with the Giants captain named as the medical substitute.

The skipper was listed as four weeks away with a knee issue ahead of Round 22, but surprisingly got through a shortened practice match against Richmond last weekend.

Coniglio, who has played just five games this year after suffering long-term ankle and toe injury in Round 3, is scheduled to line up in another reserves hitout on Sunday after replacing defender Jake Stein in the final quarter and winning six touches.

While the Giants have a plethora of centre-bounce options, a fit and firing Coniglio will give them another dimension ahead of the finals series.

CARLTON 2.4 6.6 7.7 11.9 (75)

GWS 1.3 6.5 9.10 12.17 (89)

BATTEN’S BEST

Blues: E. Curnow, Weitering, Walsh De Koning, Casboult

Giants: Ward, Kelly, Hogan, Taylor, Hopper, Greene

GOALS

Blues: E.Curnow 4, Casboult 2, Betts 2, Durdin, McGovern, Fisher

Giants: Hogan 3, Ward 2, Lloyd, Hopper, Perryman, Greene, Sproule, O’Halloran, Himmelberg

INJURIES

Blues: Patrick Cripps (foot), De Koning (TBC) Giants:

VENUE Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BATTEN’S VOTES

3 C Ward (GWS)

2 E Curnow (GWS)

1 J Kelly