Eddie Betts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eddie Betts |
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Betts playing with Adelaide in June 2019
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Edward Robert Betts III | ||
| Date of birth | 26 November 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Port Lincoln, South Australia, Australia | ||
| Original team | Calder Cannons (TAC Cup) Templestowe (EFL) |
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| Draft | No. 3, 2004 pre-season draft | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2005, Carlton v. Kangaroos, at Telstra Dome |
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| Position(s) | Small Forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Edward Robert Betts III (born 26 November 1986) is a famous former Australian rules football player. He played as a forward for the Carlton Blues and Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2005 to 2021.
Eddie Betts played an amazing 350 games and kicked 640 goals during his career. He was known for his incredible goals from difficult angles. After retiring, he became an educator and mentor for young Indigenous Australians. He now leads the Eddie Betts Foundation, helping kids through sport. He is also a strong voice against racism.
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Early Life and Junior Football
Eddie Betts was born in Port Lincoln, South Australia. He grew up in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, with his mother, Cindy. Eddie is from the Wirangu, Kokatha, and Guburn people. He says he was a shy child. He grew up with a big, loving family around him.
He played junior football for the Mines Rovers Football Club. Later, he moved back to Port Lincoln to play for the Mallee Park Peckers. When he was 15, his mother arranged for him to move to Melbourne. This was so he could join a TAFE program run by Indigenous former footballer Phil Krakouer.
Moving to Melbourne was a big change for Eddie. He was away from his family and community. His mother and aunt moved to Melbourne to support him, which he says was very important for his success. Eddie later shared that he struggled with reading and writing at school. He only started literacy classes in his second year at Carlton Football Club.
In Melbourne, Eddie played for the Templestowe. He won an award for the best player in the EFL Division 3 in 2002. He also played for the Calder Cannons. In 2003, he was chosen for the Under 18 All-Australian team.
Amazing Football Career
Playing for Carlton (2005–2013)
Carlton Football Club picked Eddie Betts in the 2004 Pre-Season Draft. He quickly became a popular player. He made his AFL debut in 2005. In 2006, he kicked 19 goals in 19 games.
In 2007, Eddie won the Goal of the Year award. He kicked an amazing "banana kick" goal from the boundary line. From 2009, he started kicking even more goals. He kicked 42 goals in 2010, leading Carlton's goal kicking.
In 2011, he kicked 50 goals, including a career-best eight goals in one game. He kicked 48 goals in 2012. He was also named in the top 40 players for the All-Australian team. At the end of 2013, Eddie decided to move to the Adelaide Crows.
Playing for Adelaide (2014–2019)
In his first year at Adelaide, Eddie played all 22 games. He kicked a career-high 51 goals. He also had the most "goal assists" (passes that lead to a goal) in the AFL. In 2015, he kicked an incredible 63 goals. He also won his second Goal of the Year award. This goal was a long "torpedo punt" from the boundary line in wet weather.
In 2016, Eddie kicked 75 goals, which was his best season ever. He won his third Goal of the Year award that year. In 2017, he kicked his 500th career goal. He also played in the Grand Final with Adelaide, kicking one goal.
In 2019, Eddie played his 300th AFL game. In this game, he scored another classic goal from the left forward pocket. This goal won him his fourth Goal of the Year award, which is a record!
Back to Carlton (2020–2021)
At the end of the 2019 season, Eddie Betts moved back to Carlton. He was given his old jumper number, 19. On 16 August 2021, Eddie announced that he would play his 350th and final AFL match. After the game, his teammates carried him off the field, celebrating his amazing career.
Beyond the Field
Helping Others Through Education
While playing for Carlton, Eddie also worked as a teacher's aide at Assumption College. He studied sport recreation because he wanted to become a primary school teacher.
The Eddie Betts Foundation
After retiring from football, Eddie started focusing on his foundation. The Eddie Betts Foundation helps young Indigenous Australians get involved in sport. It runs football and basketball programs. It also offers education, community, and mentoring programs to support young people.
Writing Books for Kids
When Eddie joined the AFL at 17, he struggled with reading and writing. He knows how hard this can be for young people. Because of this, he decided to write a series of educational books for children. His Lil' Homies book series helps kids read with confidence.
His first book, My Kind (2018), teaches kids about kindness, acceptance, and equality. His second book, My People (2019), shares information about Aboriginal culture and Australia's First Nations peoples. The Lil' Homies series has even been made into a TV show on NITV and Netflix!
His Impact and Legacy
In 2014, fans and commentators started calling a special part of the Adelaide Oval "Eddie's Pocket." This was because Eddie kicked so many amazing goals from that spot. His famous Goal of the Year goals in 2015, 2016, and 2019 were also from a similar spot on the other side of the field.
Eddie was featured in a TV series called Making Their Mark in 2021. This show looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected AFL clubs and players. In September 2021, Australian musician Paul Kelly released a song inspired by Eddie. The song, Every Step of the Way, talks about Eddie's fight against racism.
Personal Life
Eddie Betts is married to Anna Scullie. They have five children: three boys and twin daughters.
Eddie is very proud of his Aboriginal heritage and culture. He says one of his favorite moments was kicking a Goal of the Year while wearing a special jersey. This jersey was designed by his aunt, Susie Betts, for the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Eddie has faced racism throughout his life and football career. He has become a very important voice against racism in Australia.
Football Awards and Achievements
Team
- NAB Cup (Carlton Football Club) 2007
- McClelland Trophy (Adelaide Football Club) 2017
Individual
- 3× All-Australian: (2015, 2016, 2017)
- 4× Adelaide leading Goalkicker: (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- 2× Carlton leading Goalkicker: (2010, 2012)
- 4× AFL Goal of the Year: (2006, 2015, 2016, 2019)
- Carlton Best First-Year player: (2005)
Images for kids
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Betts playing with Adelaide in June 2019
