Country footy: AFL champ Eddie Betts plays for Rumbalara against Deniliquin in Murray League

Watch as AFL champion Eddie Betts gets airborne to mark right in front of goal after he pulled on the boots for a struggling country football team.

Football star Eddie Betts emerged from retirement on Saturday afternoon in an effort to boost a struggling country football team.

But despite 35-year-old Betts’s best efforts for Rumbalara in the Murray Football League, he was not able to end the Shepparton-based team’s losing streak.

Betts, who retired from the game last year after a successful career at Carlton and the Adelaide Crows, was called in to lift the Aboriginal-led team’s spirits during the week.

However, their score of 50 was not enough to stop the Deniliquin Rams winning with 121 points.

Murray Football Netball League general manager Dale Norman said he was thrilled to have Betts “take the time out of his day to play”.

“I give big credit to Rumbalara coach Dwayne Atkinson on bringing Betts onboard,” Mr Norman said.

Former AFL star Eddie Betts. Picture: Ian Currie

Former AFL star Eddie Betts in action for Rumbalara. Picture: Ian Currie

“The crowd is streaming through and they seem thrilled.

“It would have been good to have a standalone game so the surrounding areas could embrace it, but either way, everyone is smiling. Betts is king of the kids.”

Rumbalara coach Dwayne Atkinson said it was a thrill to involve Betts in the game and get a photo for the team to treasure, especially after their recent losing streak.

Rumbalara announced the inclusion of Betts on social media last week after the league gave clearance for him to play.

Originally published as Country footy: AFL champ Eddie Betts plays for Rumbalara against Deniliquin in Murray League