Eddie BETTS

2017 Digest:   Star goalsneak inked new deal tying him to club until end of 2020. Can he repeat last year’s 75-goal heroics. Trained well.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	GWS	Finished with four goals including the cream after the final siren.	7
2	Haw	Kicked goal of the day with a trademark banana (checkside if South Australian). Ended day with three majors.	6
3	Port	Was on track for a huge game with three goals but Tom Jonas did well to contain him.	6
4	Ess	Responded magnificently after an indifferent week off the field, is getting better with age.	9
5	GCS	Considering the scoreline, surprising he only kicked three goals. Still looked dangerous when in his vicinity!	7
6	Rich	Tried in vain to get that elusive 500th goal, credit to Grimes for keeping him honest.	5
7	NM	Double-goal got him going (first was his 500th career major). Ended with three and tried hard in a well-beaten team.	5
8	Melb	Well held by Neville Jetta, still managed two goals, the second an Eddie Betts special.	4
9	Bris	Staked claim for goal of the year when he dribbled the ball through from 25m. Three goals, four assists. All class.	7
10	Frem	Couldn’t quite get on the highlight reel but tried his heart out to get either goal or mark of the year.	7
11	Geel	Well held by Tuohy and Guthrie. One goal and four effective disposals.	2
12	StK	Quiet game from the champion small forward, still chimed in with two goals.	5
13		Bye.
14	Haw	One goal from four attempts, very uncharacteristic Betts performance.	4
15	Carl	Treading water at the moment for form, two typical Betts goals, one from a mark inside-50, and the other with sublime skill.	6
16	WB	Finished the game with two goals, and set up two more. Needs to be more selfish at times but you can’t knock his game.	6
17	Melb	Had Jetta for company. Kicked two goals, but most of his work was done with the game in hand.	5
18	Geel	Held to three kicks and no goals by Bews in what was a quiet night given team performance.	2
19		Appendix.
20	Port	Four goals, four behinds and set up another four goals, not a bad performance after getting his appendix removed over a week ago.	8
21	Ess	Well contained, but produced magic bit of ball-handling to set up Lynch goal.	2
22	Syd	Two goals from five attempts, a game of what if’s for the little master.	5
23	WCE	Kicked two goals. Missed two others. Worked hard.	5
QF	GWS	Three first half goals set the Crows on their way to the prelim. ‘Shopped early,’ as Charlie Sutton would say.	7
PF	Geel	Was shut down by Bews for most part but had to kick a couple of goals given weight of ball.	5
GF	Rich	Early goal but was held in check by Grimes. He ended with four kicks in will further questions his big-game credentials.	2

2016 Season

1	NM	Started like a house on fire with 12 first-half disposals then struggled.	4
2	Port	Five goals and gave off another five. In superb touch.	8
3	Rich	Got the better of Rance then had Vlastuin and Houli for company. Too quick and smart.	7
4	Syd	Four goals, including the last two goals of the game to seal the win.	8
5	Haw	Intent on big start against nemesis Stratton and did that early, but reined in.	5
6	Frem	Four goals from seven attempts, another day at the office for the crowd favourite.	7
7	WB	Destroyed by Morris. First kick came 21 minutes into third term. No goals.	3
8	Geel	Two goals from limited opportunities.	5
9	GCS	Did not trouble the goal scorers, but played higher and set plenty up.	7
10	GWS	Another Indigenous Round, another goal of the year contender.	8
11	StK	Well held by Geary, still snuck in for a goal.	5
12	WCE	Influential with five goals and the Eagles just couldn’t stop him.	7
14	NM	Did not have his kicking boots on, two great goals from six attempts.	6
15	Melb	Dangerous in periods and ended with three goals and an assist.	7
16	Carl	Snagged three goals in a great battle with Tuohy who gave as good as he got.	6
17	Coll	Three goals from limited opportunities, roving and contested marking highlights.	7
18	Geel	Held to one goal and six effective disposals by Bews. Quiet one.	3
19	Ess	Makes the easy look difficult, and the difficult seem surprisingly easy.	8
20	Bris	Another four goals and further evidence to add to his second All-Australian jumper.	7
21	Frem	Dominated. Kicked six goals. Could have been more.	9
22	Port	Running out of superlatives, five goals in his 250th match, a true masterclass.	9
23	WCE	Quiet display with one goal, had a lot to contend with during the week.	4
EF	NM	Dragged down a screamer and snagged six goals in masterful performance.	9
SF	Syd	Kicked three goals but well beaten by Smith when the game was still hot.	3

2015 Season

1	NM	Four goals, four scoring assists, seven tackles and four inside-50s.	7
2	Coll	Kicked first quarter pearler and lively as usual. Six tackles.	6
3	Melb	Struggled with the tight marking of Jetta.	4
4	WB	Given latitude early. Not his fault chances were limited. Still kicked four.	6
5	Port	One of the best with five goals from eight attempts.	8
6	GCS	Afforded far too much space and took full advantage with five goals.	8
7	StK	Best small forward in the game: six goals after consecutive bags of five.	9
8	GWS	Ended with three goals in entertaining battle with Shaw. Did his bit.	6
9	Frem	Two more miraculous goals from best small forward in the game.	7
10	Carl	Bubble finally burst. Tuohy towelled him all day. One goal, three kicks.	2
12	Haw	On the Hawks’ hit list, targeted off the ball on numerous occasions.	4
13	Bris	Cut loose in last quarter to help seal the win.	6
15	WCE	Two goals, one in the first and one in the last.	5
16	Port	One goal but gave off three others.	6
17	GCS	Three goals from four attempts and gave off another two.	7
18	Syd	Smith ensured that his chances were limited.	3
19	Rich	Bobbed up with two goals in the last term to seal the victory.	6
20	Ess	Had a day out with five goals from 10 kicks. Lapped up the service.	9
21	Bris	Another three goals and beats his previous best tally of 51, more to come.	6
22	WCE	Two goals, and another four scoring assists for the human highlight reel.	7
23	Geel	Three goals in third term and four for the game. Clearly best forward.	7
EF	WB	Electric three-goal first term on Morris then had Biggs. Five goals.	8
SF	Haw	Totally shut down by Stratton especially early in the game. No space.	3

2014 Season

1	Geel	Kicked two for new club on debut and lively in spurts.	6
2	Port	One of the best with four goals from limited touches.	8
3	Syd	Not as influential as the previous week; managed to kick one goal.	4
4	StK	Looked dangerous early but Geary kept a tight rein.	4
5	GWS	Quiet game with just one goal.	4
6	WB	Shadowed by Picken but managed to wriggle free after main break for two goals.	5
7	Melb	Well beaten by Jetta.	3
9	Coll	Four scoring assists, nine tackles and a goal in the last term.	5
10	Carl	Four goals against old club a significant return. Among the best.	8
11	GCS	Great tussle with Broughton, still chimed in with two goals and four clearances.	6
12	Frem	Never given a sniff by Spurr.	2
13	NM	A contender for goal of the year with the outside of his right foot from 50 out.	7
14	Ess	Lively. Kicked three goals and gave some more away.	7
15	Port	Four clearances, four inside-50s and four goals including the sealer.	7
16	GWS	Kicked five goals and outplayed Williams. Creative and ever-alert.	7
17	Haw	Struggled in his 200th game despite one goal.	3
18	Coll	Two early goals but after that went right out of the contest.	4
19	WCE	Three goals and three scoring assists for the livewire small forward.	6
20	Bris	Held early by Patfull but broke free after quarter time. Three goals.	7
21	Rich	Two goals but little else.	5
22	NM	Plenty of movement and run around forward line but only two goals.	5
23	StK	Constantly dangerous and finished strongly to end with five goals.	7
QF		-
SF		-
PF		-
GF		-

2013 Season

Played for : Carlton

1	Rich	Had Morris for company. Only three disposals in first half- lifted after half time.	5
2		Jaw.
3		Jaw.
4		Jaw.
5	Adel	Came on at half time and had some nice moments without sparkling.	4
6	Melb	Kicked four goals from six kicks. Talk about making most of chances.	7
7	StK	Had to go into the midfield at times and ineffective in front of goal. MRP scrutiny.	3
8		Suspended.
9		Suspended.
10		Suspended.
11	Ess	Fletcher with him up at start. Didn’t figure prominently.	2
12	Haw	Worked hard for a three-goal return and five tackles. Played his role.	7
14	Syd	Held to just six possessions by Smith and unable to have any impact.	2
15	Coll	Four disposals and struggled. Looked to be injured in second half.	2
16	StK	Sub came on and immediately in the thick of it.	2
17	NM	Surprisingly Thompson went to him at start. Couple of goals but held.	4
18	GCS	Quite well held but still finished with three goals.	5
19	Frem	Poor. Closer to being dropped than getting a $500,000 contract.	1
20	WB	One of his better recent outings. Spent more time in midfield in Blues reshuffle.	6
21	Rich	Worked hard with 7 tackles but didn’t impact on the scoreboard.	5
22	Ess	Fumbled badly and missed a sitter in the last. Needs to do more.	5
23	Port	Kicked goal of the game, missed three others and set up three more.	7
EF	Rich	Minimal opportunities early but lifted to finish with three handy goals.	7
SF	Syd	Booted first goal but then chances were scarce.	3
PF
GF

2012 Season

Played for : Carlton

1	Rich	Kicked a couple of goals and could easily have had more.	6
2	Bris	Took two sensational marks and contributed two goals.	7
3	Coll	Outstripped O’Brien, took him to uncomfortable places. Five goals.	8
4	Ess	Kicked 4 goals but had little impact when the game was up for grabs.	6
5	Frem	Stats not huge but won a few crucial balls and kicked a goal.	5
6	GWS	Held goalless in his 150th. Kept working but goals didn’t come.	4
7	StK	Dempster had task and kept him to two goals and three clearances.	5
8	Adel	Failed to kick a goal and had many of his 11 disposals well up the ground.	3
9	Melb	Turned a fair day into a good one with three last-term goals, five for the game.	7
10	Port	Kicked one goal and created three others but subdued for most of the match.	5
11	Geel	Started with three first-quarter goals and ended with four. Constant threat.	7
12	WCE	Dangerous first half helped keep side in touch. Only four touches second half.	5
14	Haw	Starved of chances and struggled to get into it.	3
15	Coll	Held early but joined in with the ride for four goals.	7
16	NM	Picked up by Thompson. Sighted a bit early but chances dried up.	3
17	WB	Dazzled in last quarter with two goals with game up for grabs.	6
18	Rich	By far most dangerous looking forward for Carlton with three in first half.	7
19	Syd	Smith picked him up and he was well contained all day.	3
20	Bris	Dangerous effort. Two goal assists to go with three goals then subbed out.	7
21	Ess	Lively throughout. Kicked three goals and set up four others.	8
22	GCS	Looked like being the match winner, but missed some gettable shots.	5
23	StK	Started OK but kicking for goal was wayward.	4