EDDIE Betts' 60th match for
Betts had 27 possessions and took 11 marks playing a hit-up forward role and has his eye on spending more time in the midfield rotations
"That is a goal of mine, but it's pretty hard to get into the midfield when you've got the likes of Chris Judd, Nick Stevens, Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Andrew Carrazzo in there; there's plenty of competition now," Betts said.
"They [the coaches] said that if you can push up and get hit then do it and that's all I did and the boys were just setting me up; it was really good.
"I didn't know that I got 27 touches, but I'm really just disappointed in the loss."
The main obstacle in Betts' way would appear to be the question of endurance, but for now at least, Brett Ratten is using him wisely.
"Ratts was taking me on and off to just give me little bursts," Betts said.
"I think that helps me a lot because usually I tend to cramp up. Once I get a bit more fitness, hopefully I can get up the ground a bit more."
His strong play won him the admiration of Ratten, who revealed he had counselled his player after what he felt was a poor start to the season.
"His first week against
"It was a real improvement and a step in the right direction and tonight he was one of our best players with his energy in the forward line.
"That's what he relies on as a small forward; it can be 'starvation corner', but I think he really made the most of his opportunities and really worked hard offensively and defensively."
