Betts’ milestone 300th game peaks on Suns’ defeat

ADELAIDE’S folk hero Eddie Betts has celebrated his 300th AFL match with six goals in a 73-point thrashing of Gold Coast.

Betts was chaired from Adelaide Oval on teammates’ shoulders after the Crows’ resounding 18.11 (119) to 6.10 (46) win yesterday.

Adelaide’s triumph was created by a second-term blitz that reaped five goals to none as the Suns slipped to their second loss of the season. Betts, the sixth indigenous player to reach 300 AFL games, capped his milestone with a trademark freak goal, a 30m left-foot checkside from the boundary line in the last quarter.

Betts had nine scoring shots as the Crows banked on a much-needed second win of the season.

Co-captain Taylor Walker and fellow forward Lachlan Murphy kicked three goals apiece while half-back Brodie Smith (27 disposals, two goals) was outstanding in his 150th AFL game.

Smith provided great dash from defence while Rory Sloane (32 possessions), Matt Crouch (36 touches), his brother Brad (34 disposals) and Cam Ellis-yolmen (29 touches) formed a dominant midfield.

The onball brigade helped the Crows break the game open after a forgettable first term when Adelaide’s Murphy kicked the sole goal after the quarter-time siren. The Crows then piled on five consecutive goals to craft a decisive 34point halftime lead.

Emerging Sun Brayden Fiorini kicked a goal among his 30 possessions, Peter Wright kicked three majors and Touk Miller (29 disposals, 10 tackles) battled gamely against the Adelaide tide.

The Suns host Brisbane next Saturday afternoon while the Crows meet St Kilda in Melbourne on Saturday night.