AFL legend Eddie Betts is the 2022 AFL Players' Association Madden Medalist.
The award, named after former AFLPA Presidents Simon and Justin Madden is awarded to a retiring player who has demonstrated not only on-field excellence but community spirit and personal growth through their career
The Carlton and Adelaide legend adds the award to his already esteemed list of accomplishments.
Nominated for the Madden Medal alongside Betts was Shaun Burgoyne, Marc Murphy, Bachar Houli, and Neville Jetta.
Betts kicked off a stellar career in 2004, debuting with the Carlton as number three in the pre-season draft. In 2013, he put on the Crows guernsey playing over 130 games for the side until he returned to the Blues in 2019.
Retiring in 2021, Betts had a 350-game 17-year career, where he kicked 640 goals and cemented himself as a fan favourite.
Eddie Betts of the Blues is chaired form the field after his last match by teammates Levi Casboult (left) and Mitch McGovern (right) Source: AAP
Betts, a Wirangu and Kokatha man, has also built a legacy of standing up against racism and supporting other Indigenous players in the game to do the same.
Still involved in the game, Betts has an off-field role in development coaching at Geelong and is working on his own series of children's books, Eddie's Lil' Homies.
