AFL fans in the Northern Territory can look forward to some star power in the coming season, as the Palmerston Magpies confirmed rumours that legendary forward Eddie Betts will join their club.
Several local teams expressed interest in securing his rare talents, but in a Facebook post the Magpies revealed that Betts and his family would soon be the club's newest members.
Darwin-based NT News has reported Betts’ friendship with former Palmerston and Geelong AFL premiership player Matthew Stokes has helped sway him the Magpies’ way.
Stokes runs a remote mentoring service in the NT and it’s rumored Betts will be offered work there too.
With Palmerston securing Betts’ signature, it will go down as the biggest recruiting coup in Top End football history.
In a statement, Palmerston coach Josh Heath said the team were "very excited" about their new recruit.
"We are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre on board, mentoring and developing our juniors and as Assistant Coach of our senior group," he said.
"We fully support his initiatives in engaging and working with Indigenous communities and people throughout the Northern Territory."
