Will Carlton and AFL legend Eddie Betts play for Palmerston Magpies? That decision rests largely with the NT Government

Analysis: The phrase ‘Eddie would go’ has been popular among the global surfing fraternity since the 1980s. But now the question among Territory footy fans is: ‘Will Eddie go to Darwin?’

THE phrase ‘Eddie would go’ was coined in regards to legendary Hawaiian surfer and lifesaver Eddie Aikau in the 1980s, who saved over 500 people and became famous for surfing big waves.

Now, the question among most Territory football fans is will Eddie Betts go to Palmerston? The AFL legend seems certain to sign with the Magpies, his close friendship with two-time premiership winner at Geelong Mathew Stokes getting him over the line.

Stokes’ father John is a Magpies legend.

Betts is set to work with Stokes for AIME while in Darwin, mentoring young Indigenous people about making the right career choices.

But will it actually come off in the difficult new Covid world which NTFL clubs have to navigate?

That is yet to be known.

Carlton legend Eddie Betts pictured launching the 2021 AFL Finals Series for Fox Footy. Picture: David Caird

The NT News revealed on Friday that interstate NTFL footballers have been among the cohort of new arrivals at Howard Springs who have been told their exemptions have been revoked.

This is set to be the biggest hurdle on whether or not we see Betts in a Palmerston jumper.

The deal with the Magpies is as good as done, the black-and-whites all but securing what is set to be the biggest signing in NT sporting history.

And the Territory football community is already abuzz with excited fans who cannot wait to see him play up close.

But Betts stepping out onto NTFL playing fields now seems a massive task for everyone involved – him and his family, the Magpies, the AFLNT and the NT Government.

And opinion is divided because there are many people who do not want to see Betts given a special exemption to enter the Territory.

The NT News is also aware of another standout player who could join Betts, with that other star player also facing relocation challenges in today’s Covid environment.

There is also talk the AFLNT has been involved in the process to get him to Darwin.

But all this good work could come to a sudden halt if the NT Government does not change its tough stance on people moving to the Territory during these unprecedented times.

AFL legend Eddie Betts at Carlton training. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

EARLIER: EDDIE Betts is going to Palmerston – it’s pretty much a done deal.

That was the strong rumour on Saturday with the 350-game AFL legend poised to put pen to paper on a deal that will see him play for Palmerston in the 2021-22 NTFL season.

“I’m 99.99 per cent sure he’s going to Palmerston,” a well-placed NTFL source told the Sunday Territorian.

“It will be massive for Territory footy.”

Betts playing in Darwin will be the biggest signing in NTFL history.

Over a decorated AFL season which started in 2005, he went on to kick 640 goals.

The 34-year-old’s decorated honour roll includes being a four-time AFL Goal of the Year winner, three-time All Australian and leading goalkicker (twice at Carlton and four times at Adelaide).

The forward regularly wowed AFL fans throughout his career due to his wizardry, pace and silky skills in attack.

Mathew Stokes pictured with fellow Territorian Nakia Cockatoo at Cats training in 2019. Stokes has been instrumental in all but ensuring AFL legend Eddie Betts will play at Palmerston in the 2021-22 NTFL season. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Betts – who has also been an admirable campaigner for racial equality off the field – will also have a massive positive impact at Palmerston and throughout the Territory.

While Magpies officials have not yet commented publicly, talk at the club is that Betts is set to have an enormous positive influence on the many juniors who look up to him.

A big factor in all but getting Betts over the line is his close friendship with two-time Geelong premiership winner, Mathew Stokes.

Betts is set to work with Stokes for AIME while in Darwin.

AIME is a groundbreaking mentorship program.

For more than 15 years, the initiative has put Indigenous people from marginalised communities in touch with people who can guide them to productive paths in life.