...is Eddie Betts' goal output for the last 5 weeks.

Have you ever seen a small forward deliver that sort of consistency to start a year (let alone be equal top of the goal-kicking charts)?

Going through Carlton's great(ish) small forwards;
* Brent Heaver averaged more than 1.5 a game, and 2 a game in his breakout 1993 year: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... A+B+Heaver
* Fraser Murphy averaged 1.5 a game too, and up to 2 a game in his first few seasons: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... A+F+Murphy
* Mark Naley averaged a goal a game but with more time on-ball than Betts: http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... 3A+M+Naley

Betts has been pretty much averaging 1 a game up until now, a bit better in 2008, but has kicked 3 a game to start this year:

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... 3A+E+Betts

This is an incredible start to the year by Betts, a breakout year in more ways than one. How does he compare in your mind?

He's been outstanding - to think we haven't had a decent small forward since Heaver and Heaver had one good year. Have we ever had a small forward as good as Betts? We had a guy called Vin Gardiner 100 years ago who was a gun at 167cm , but he was a full-forward! A much better place-kick than Eddie could hope to be

His ability to lead up and take an overhead mark is amazing

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"I had to eat"

Has incredible hands. Took a great overhead grab with the ball almost out of reach - stuck like Spiderman was marking. I think it was Colin Wisbey who rated Eddie as a top 10 pick in 04. At this stage I'd say he's about the 10th best player from that year (was picked up months later in 05 PSD)

Well Molsey I think the simple answer to that is that he is quite simply a superior player to those 3 names you mentioned.

Naley came over the border with a huge reputation, but never truly fired for the Blues in my opinion. He went OK and kicked a nice goal or two in the 87 GF, but he won't be remembered as a exceptional Carlton player.

Murphy had incredible zip and soemtimes roved the pack sublimely, about as good a rover off the pack you could ever want to see... but outside of that he was a fairly limited player. Not a patch on Betts who has the ability to run up the field a bit and is just a much more creative player in general.

Ditto Heaver did some nice things but let's face it he was never a star had he been a star Melborune would never have let him go.

Betts has always been a huge talent, he was rated very highly pre-draft and only missed being drafted because of his short stature (funny how the game goes through periods, eg: a few years back it was all about mobile talls but these days every team thinks they need a couple of small indegenous forwards).

If Yarran and Garlett can develop into similarly exceptional small forwards, then it will go a long way to making this team win a flag in the next few years.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

To me, the best thing about Eddie is that he just keeps on trying. Great attitude and just gets on with it. No dummy spits, no bullsh*t. Just plays for the team.

The type of mentality that we need in all the boys. To me, definitely an on field leader of the club who if everyone plays like he does, can hold their heads high every week. Very under-rated player who with the right in-born physical attributes, would already be a superstar of the game.

He has been exceptional since round 1.

His chatting to the players who take a grab in the F50 - urging them to take their time is great see and speaks volumes about his standing in the team and the F50.

He did it with Krooz yesterday and it was great.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Stevie Kenna kicked 3 goals in 5 matches for Carlton.

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Formerly: Ackland the Wonderkid / Army the Wonderkid / quivering mess / molsey / Tony Lynn Fan Club

Doc Sherrin mentioned in another thread he's carrying a knee injury also.

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"I will rejoice in their anguish, delight in their failure and revel in our success"

We are Carlton, @#$%&! the rest !!!!!!

Eddie's stepped up big time this year...and well done to him for putting in the work that's got him there.

I can't wait to see him when he takes the next step again, which is to be able to spend 50% game time in the middle, and 50% on the forward 50. With is skills and uncanny aboility to trap the ball and extract himself from traffic, look out!

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

Brian Walsh had a couple of good years in the 70's...I guess with Eddie - there'll be a bit more focus on him now and consistency will be the key. Listening to his post-match interview it was very pleasing to hear him say he thought he had a lot more improvement to make.

Excellent point about his attitude and leadership. I'd taken these for granted. I think Eddie looked a little exasperated when Fev gave that 50 away.

I know he probably doesn't qualify as a 'small' forward (though prob weighed the same as Betts ) but Matty Lappin's year where he snagged 50 goals (2001?) was brilliant. Absolutely robbed of All Australian that year.

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Congratulations CK95

One thing I really noticed about Eddie is this.

When someone stuffs up on field, instead of being outwardly cheesed off and physically dragging the player away from the incident (eg. Stevens), Eddie just gives the offending player (more often than not Fev since they are in the F50 together) a gentle pat and (what seems like) some encouraging words.

Just seems like a bloody nice guy doesn't he? Great team player.

Thank you Richmond for gazumping us on Trent Knobel, causing us to pick Eddie in PSD rather than rookie.

You've gotta agree that it worked out rather well for us, heh.

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“Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile a way and you have their shoes."

Then he is even better than we think!

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

I love his kicking for goal. He is great on a set shot and a freak on a tight angle.

When he got the ball on the boundary yesterday I was 100% certain it was going to be a goal.

Greg Miller was just keeping us honest...

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There's so much I could say...

Tee hee...however, does anyone know if there was interest shown before the preseason draft from any other club?

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

Easily the best small forward in the competition.

Whenever he gets the ball, or even goes near it, he's dangerous.

Very exciting player to watch.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24