Eddie Betts capped a brilliant night with a wonder goal in the third quarter.
Camera IconEddie Betts capped a brilliant night with a wonder goal in the third quarter. Credit: News Corp Australia, Sarah Reed

VIDEO: Did Eddie Betts kick goal of the year?

REECE HOMFRAYNews Corp Australia

EDDIE Betts staked a serious claim for his third goal of the year crown with an almost unbelievable effort from the Adelaide Oval boundary.

Unbelievable because if you didn’t see it with your own eyes and someone described it to you, you wouldn’t believe it. But you had to.

Betts was sitting down, stopped, ankle twisted underneath him when the miracle began.

Deep in the third quarter which he had already torn to shreds — along with the Giants, Betts trapped the ball between two GWS opponents 50m from goal on the western side, scoreboard end of the ground.

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With his entire body outside the boundary line, Betts then kept the ball in play and somehow got out of the congestion without being tackled.

Nick Haynes had two chances to grab him but couldn’t nail either.

Betts had no right to keep the ball in play let alone win possession before the magic unfolded.

Eddie Betts capped a brilliant night with a wonder goal in the third quarter.
Camera IconEddie Betts capped a brilliant night with a wonder goal in the third quarter. Credit: News Corp Australia, Sarah Reed
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As he darted inside play, Adam Tomlinson lunged at him but could only watch as Betts swung onto his right foot and snapped the ball around his body for a goal — his fourth of the night which stretched the Crows lead to 27 points.

Betts then turned to the crowd which erupted, puffed out his chest and slapped both hands into the guernsey which was designed by his aunt to celebrate the AFL’s Indigenous Round.

You can’t script this sort of stuff.

Giants coach Leon Cameron could only sit back and watch in admiration as Betts stole the show in the third term.

“I think I made a comment in the box to the boys. I think I said, ‘Jesus, that’s a bloody good goal, isn’t it?’ Cameron said post-game.

“He’s a special player. It’s a special round, let’s be honest. It’s a fantastic round. The AFL do it terrifically well. The indigenous boys, no doubt, liven up our game with what they can do.

“Whether it’s this round, as a significant moment for them, or any round they just do some special things.

“That goal he (Betts) did was just pure genius. He had a big night tonight and had a big say in the game.”

Crows coach Don Pyke was also in awe of Betts’ briallance.

“Eddie’s a special player, isn’t he? It was a fantastic goal,” Pyke told Channel 9 on Sunday morning.

“He continues to inspire. I just love the way he goes about it.

“Last night being Indigenous Round, it was a special round for Eddie and our indigenous players.

“You could see he really relishes that stage, Eddie. He’s a real pleasure to coach.”

Eddie Betts kicked five goals in a matchwinning display against the Giants.
Camera IconEddie Betts kicked five goals in a matchwinning display against the Giants. Credit: News Corp Australia, Simon Cross

Betts was everywhere this week. He did a press conference at the club, radio interviews and on game day was on the front page of the paper explaining how he transformed his life from troubled teen to football superstar.

He talked the talk then walked the walk and just when you think you’ve seen it all, he finds another way to surprise you.

Not that the man himself seemed surprised. As he turned to the crowd he had that blank, poker face look as if to say ‘and now for my next trick’.

Eddie Betts you little genius.