Carlton and Adelaide AFL star Eddie Betts wants Territorians to double vaccinate

Educating Territorians on the importance of double vaccinating against the dangerous Covid virus is paramount on Eddie Betts’ Territory agenda when he leaves quarantining this week

AFL star Eddie Betts is on a mission to educate Territorians on the importance of people getting double vaccinated in the middle of the Covid pandemic.

The former Carlton and Adelaide goalkicker completes his two weeks of quarantining on Saturday and he wants to get to work immediately.

That includes making his NTFL debut with the Palmerston Magpies against Southern Districts at Cazaly’s Arena on November 7.

He also hopes to move his family into home quarantining before the weekend as part of the NT Government’s trial on getting Territory residents to quarantine at home.

“I want to start educating people throughout the communities on the importance of getting double vaxed in this Covid climate,’’ Betts said.

“I want everyone to get double vaccinated and I know it’s pretty hard up here and I don’t want to force anyone to do it.

Eddie Betts and Eddie Jr en route to quarantine. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“But I can sit down and have a yarn with people and have a bit of a talk on why it’s so important to get double vaccinated to stay healthy.

“I love my footy and it’s part of the reason I’m up here, but educating people on staying healthy and lifestyles is just as important to me.’’

Betts has noted Government plans to begin trials on home quarantining

“The Government has put something out about trialling home quarantining (starting on Tuesday), so I’m trying hard to get on that,’’ he said

Betts said the facilities at Howard Springs were “quite nice’’ and his family had really enjoyed their stay, but having five children to watch on the balcony had been pretty tough.

“I’ve already got a warning trying to chase them off the balcony,’’ he laughed.

“So hopefully by tomorrow we can get out and move into the house we’ve got up here and quarantine from there.

“Fingers crossed we’ll be one of the 100 people selected to go into home quarantine.’’

One of several big AFL names to ply his football trade in the Top End, Betts will train with Palmerston next Tuesday (November 2).

And like the Melbourne Cup that will be held on the same day at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne, a big crowd will be there to watch the Betts skills in person.

“That’s when I’ll train with the Magpies, I want to get some run in my legs,’’ he said.

“I can’t run out here, so I need to do a couple of sessions to get myself right.’’

Originally published as Carlton and Adelaide AFL star Eddie Betts wants Territorians to double vaccinate