BLUES’ SMALL PROBLEM
CARLTON champion Eddie Betts has urged the Blues’ small forward brigade to seize their chance to become the club’s missing link as he backed Jack Martin to finally capitalise on his potential.
Betts kicked 27 goals in his final season at Carlton as a 34-year-old but last year none of Zac Fisher (18 goals), Corey Durdin (15 goals), Matt Owies (14 goals), Jack Martin or Jesse Motlop (both 12 goals) emerged as his true successor.
The Blues will hope to discover a true crumbing forward this year who can get to the feet of Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow as Tyson Stengle did in his first year at Geelong next to Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.
Betts says Martin is more of a true half forward but says the ex-Gold Coast player is finally ready after three injury-prone and disappointing years at Ikon Park.
“They need that small forward who can regularly kick them goals,” he said.
“I wished I was still playing last year when Harry and Charlie were playing like that. Geelong had Gryan Miers and Brad Close as those running forwards high up the ground until Tyson came along.
“It might be a big year for Jesse Motlop, he could be that dominant small forward. They certainly have the tall forwards to complement it, Charlie and Harry can bring it to ground. I don’t see Jack as a pure small forward but this is the year for Jack. He has come across from Gold Coast, big expectations. Knowing Jack he wants to perform. He has had a great pre-season, he has a newborn baby. His life is settled, so I think this is the year for Jack. He is going to be big for them this year.”
Martin was one of the Carlton players who did not take on Sydney in the “reality check” of a loss but along with Mitch McGovern, Caleb Marchbank and Harry McKay he is on track for round 1.
Betts has moved on from his coaching role at Geelong as he concentrates on his Netflix-NITV deal turning his books Eddie’s Little Homes into “the new Bluey”.
But he has urged his great friend Stengle to consider the extraordinary opportunity in front of him to become one of footy’s great small forwards.
“He has had a great preseason, he is really fit. He has started off where he left off last year. He has been dominant and exciting. I told Tyson, you are 24 turning 25, you have nearly 10 years ahead of you.
“You could have a 10-year career at Geelong, you could become the best small forward the game has seen. … Everything could click and you are not at the peak of your footy yet.”