'Special' Eddie Betts leaves Pyke crowing
Apr 15, 2017 - 5:31 PM Adelaide star Eddie Betts responded to a week that included a race row with a brilliant six-goal performance to lift the Crows over Essendon.His ability to bounce back and deliver for Adelaide in the 65-point thumping, leaving coach Don Pyke crowing about Betts' special qualities.
"That is the quality of the guy," Pyke said.
"He had dealt with that issue and he was in a really good head space and we saw that."
Betts tossed the coin pre-game with Essendon's Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
"And then he got down to business, which you would expect from a senior player.," Pyke said.
Betts had spent much of the week dealing with being racially vilified during, and after, last week's game against Port.
Pre-game, anti-racism messages were displayed on the Crows' banner and also on the oval's large screens.
"We know what Eddie brings to the team," Pyke said.
"He's part of our leadership group and he has got a wonderful rapport with the players.
"We don't underestimate the good response he also gets from the playing group. They're really supportive of Eddie as well.
"But he's the guy that has got to come and bring the energy and the effort. And he was special again."
Adelaide's sole fresh injury is to inexperienced defender Jake Kelly, who was sent to hospital mid-game with an eye injury.
Pyke said forward-ruckman Josh Jenkins, sidelined for the past two games because of injured ribs, would face fitness tests ahead of next Saturday's away fixture against Gold Coast.
Source: AAP
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