BRANXHOLME-WALLACEDALE will have a former AFL superstar in Saints colours later this season after the South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL) club selected Eddie Betts with pick two in the Carlton Draft on Wednesday night.

The Saints were one of eight clubs selected for the initiative to boost morale in country football after COVID.

Betts, who kicked 640 goals for Carlton and Adelaide, was the club’s second choice with Nathan Jones going to Portarlington at the first pick.

Club president, Damian Hogan said the club is already excited about the prospect of hosting Betts for a day.

“The vibe around the club has been just pumping since we told everyone we were getting a player,” he said.

“Nearly everyday we get a phone call asking who we were getting.

“Eddie will be here until 8pm, we plan on putting a good event and obviously people will have questions for him, but hopefully he shares a lot more about his life, give them an insight.”

The Saints will treat the day like a final with extra food ordered along with a post-game event with Betts.

The 350-game player will be hoping to kick straighter than he did last weekend for Rumbalara, where he finished with day with 2.6, but still provided a highlight with a classic mark in the goal square.

Betts told The Spectator he was looking forward to getting out and pulling on a Saints guernsey in a different feeling to what he was used to.

“It is a bit different, it is a different feel playing out there, compared to on the MCG,” he said.

“Obviously playing footy for 17yrs at highest level, it is just great to give back to grassroots footy.

“I played a few games for Palmerston Magpies and I played a game at Rumbalara last weekend and those games where I just wanted to go out and have a kick, but they double teamed me, so hopefully that doesn’t happen.”

Betts also shared a small connection to the region with the small forward now an assistant coach at Geelong, with Dartmoor product, Jeremy Cameron, already getting in his ear.

“Jeremy came up to me and said ‘welcome to my neighbourhood, we played against them when I was at Dartmoor’,” Betts said.

“I didn’t know much about them, we did a bit of research and looked where each of the teams were prior, but for me, it is about the community and football clubs are what brings the community together.

“Let’s get everyone there and we will put on a show.”

The game is expected to be finalised in the coming days and is likely to happen within the next month.