THE Saints have got a date with Eddie Betts, with Branxholme-Wallacedale confirming the former AFL player will be in action in a stand-alone South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL) Sunday game on May 22 against Cavendish.

Branxholme-Wallacedale Football Netball Club president, Damian Hogan said it was great to have it all locked in and plans can start for the day.

“He’s an absolute legend of the game and it’s gonna be a buzz for everyone,” he said.

“Juniors are going to be playing that morning, kicking off in the morning.

“We had a meeting (earlier in the week) with everyone about the function we’d run that night, probably a sheep in the spit, Eddie and his entourage with be there, to mingle, catch up with everyone and whatever event they want to run that night.

“There’ll also be the formal presentation of a $5000 cheque … the big thing we’ve been talking about is work on the social rooms.

“The social rooms are pretty dismal, we’ve just had termites right through and it was $6000 to get that treated, so they could use a bit of work.”

The Bloods will make the trek to Branxholme Recreation Reserve for the round seven clash and coach, Clinton Thomas said the club was honoured to be involved in the day.

“I think the big thing is we think it is great for footy, great for Branxholme and we think it is fantastic,” he said.

“We are excited to be able to play against him, it is not often any of our boys will able to play against any player of his calibre.”

Cavendish had been approached earlier about the prospect of being involved, with the club working with Branxholme-Wallacedale to make it possible.

Thomas said the two clubs got along well and was happy to help when possible.

“We are pretty good mates with a few of them over there, the conversation had been flagged with us a few weeks ago and they said they would like to play against us as a preference,” he said.

“We think Branxholme is a great club, always been accommodating and where we can, we always try to work with each club.”

With the Saints-Bloods clash the only local football on the day, both teams are hoping for a big crowd.

Thomas said he hadn’t considered match-ups yet, or the prospect of whether to tag the former Carlton and Adelaide player.

“I will be honest, I haven’t got any thought into it yet, but I have still got a few,” he said. “I do know we have a few boys with Carlton jumpers who will hassle him for autographs in the first quarter, the second quarter and right through the game though.”