NOT MANY AFL players can lay claim to "owning" a pocket at Adelaide Oval.
But there is no doubt Eddie Betts has made the spot his own, slotting so many miraculous goals from the area they have almost become commonplace.
However, there's more to Betts than his freakish goalkicking feats. The Crow needs just three goal assists against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night to reach 250 for his career, only the second player to reach the mark.
The small forward with the big shorts has played 267 AFL games, reigniting his career with a move to Adelaide at the end of 2013 following nine seasons at Carlton.
Why the milestone matters
Only one player has more goal assists than Betts, and it's fitting he is an even bigger trickster than the Crows forward.
Steve Johnson, 34, is in the twilight of his career, and has had 253 goal assists in his time at Geelong and now Greater Western Sydney.
Johnson managed 10 in Geelong's mammoth 186-point win over Melbourne back in 2011, the highest recorded in a single match.
With Betts a comparative youngster at 30, he is well on the way to holding the record outright by the end of his career.
While both players are noted scorers in their own right, their ability to create scoring opportunities for others is of even greater value to their respective teams.
Their ability to see what others can't and draw teammates into scoring positions with cleverly placed disposals, consequently make their teams much more dangerous around goal.
Fast fact: Betts is due to play his 268th game this week and will draw level with Darryl White (Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions) in sixth spot for most games by an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Island player.
We're pretty sure Eddie is the unofficial Mayor of Adelaide. Picture: AFL Photos
Who's next best?
The VFL/AFL games record holder, North Melbourne's Brent Harvey, is in third spot with 233 goal assists, but could be overhauled by some current day stars in the near future.
| Player | Club(s) | Goal assists |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Riewoldt | St Kilda | 221 |
| Gary Ablett jnr | Gold Coast/Geelong | 219 |
| Sam Mitchell | West Coast/Hawthorn | 201 |
| Joel Selwood | Geelong | 200 |
| Daniel Wells | Collingwood/North Melbourne | 191 |
The Chaser: 30,000 goals - Carlton v Essendon
Carlton and Essendon are two of the AFL's oldest and most bitter rivals.
The two may be locked in a race to a 17th premiership, but are also battling to be first to a much closer milestone.
Both clubs are within touching distance of the 30,000 goal mark.
Carlton currently sit on 29,985 goals, and would need 15 against Melbourne on Sunday to reach the milestone.
Despite having played 37 games fewer, the Bombers have overtaken their rivals this season, and need only five goals against Collingwood on Saturday to get to 30,000.
If Essendon somehow fails to kick five goals, can Carlton score 15 goals to beat its rival to the punch? Stranger things have happened.
Another Chaser: Can 'Titch' have one more dose of leather poisoning?
Star Hawthorn recruit Tom Mitchell can break the record for consecutive 30+ disposal games when he takes on Greater Western Sydney this Saturday.
The ball-magnet has done it for 11 games in a row and shares the record with former teammate Josh Kennedy.
The Swans captain achieved the feat from round 14, 2011 right through until the qualifying final.
Text: Sarah Black | Designs: Kahla Emonson | Stats: Cameron Sinclair
