3 minute read

Former AFL champion Eddie Betts showed he can still excite fans with his elite talent close to goal during a guest appearance in the Northern Territory.

Retired AFL superstar Eddie Betts has laid claim to a new pocket.

The man who made Adelaide Oval his own personal theatre of dreams during a decorated 15-year career at the top level produced a stunning goal from a tight angle during his Northern Territory Football League cameo on Saturday night.

Lining up for Palmerston in trademark baggy shorts, former Carlton and Adelaide champion Betts received a handpass near the juncture of the 50m and boundary lines at Cazalys Stadium and squeezed his shot through the goal posts.

But the second-quarter highlight wasn't enough to get Betts' new team over the line as the Magpies suffered a 34-point defeat to Nightcliff.

"It was a good match, good fun, a bit different to AFL footy," Betts told News Corp.

"Nightcliff are a good side who play good footy.

"I didn't move much, staying mainly in the forward 50, which I kind of enjoyed.

"On that goal I saw the sign saying 'Eddie's pocket' and I thought I could give it a go.

"There's some real talent up here.

"If we can get that talent development up here you never know what you can get out of it."

Betts called time on his AFL playing career in August after 350 games and 640 goals with the Blues and Crows.

The 34-year-old Indigenous champion is undertaking community work in the Northern Territory while helping out Palmerston on and off the field.

He will return to the AFL scene next year in a development role with Geelong, balancing that with a welfare job, where he will work with Indigenous liaison officers at other AFL clubs.