Betts' goal came in the Round 21 match against Collingwood at the MCG. Betts intercepted a Tarkyn Lockyer handball and, despite close attention from Lockyer and Simon Prestigiacomo, threaded a miracle banana kick from the boundary line.
“I am rapt to win the award. “ Betts told carltonfc.com.au.
“The boys got stuck into me after the game against Collingwood. They all said I would win the car and they were right.” Betts said.
“It’s a great to win it, as a kid you always tried to kick the goal of the year.” Betts added.
The AFL also announced that Geelong’s Brad Ottens won the 2006 Mark of the Year.
Each week of the season (including the 2006 AFL Finals Series), the expert panel and public voted on nominations to determine the finalists for consideration for the overall awards. The final decision on the winning mark and goal was made by the AFL All Australian Selection committee.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the winning goal and mark highlighted the best aspects of the game; "Eddie's goal and Brad's mark show the skill and athleticism required by our players and will rightly go down in the history books alongside previous winners of these prestigious awards".
Eddie will receive;
* A crystal replica of the official, perpetual Toyota AFL Goal of the Year,
* The Phil Manassa Medal,
* The use of a Toyota Aurion for 12 months and
* $10,000 for Eddie’s grassroots Club, presented by Toyota
Betts will be presented with his official trophy at the AFL's Official Launch of the 2007 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Carlton’s Brendan Fevola was nominated for Mark of the Year in Round 12 and was nominated twice for the Goal of the Year in Rounds 18 and 19. Anthony Koutoufides was also nominated for Goal of the Year in Round 16.
