ADELAIDE'S indigenous players have rallied around star forward Eddie Betts after he was racially abused at last weekend's Showdown.
Curtly Hampton, Charlie Cameron, Wayne Milera, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Ben Davis sat down with Betts on Wednesday morning in a show of support.
"We had a catch-up with all of the brothers together for a coffee just to make sure he's all right," Hampton told AFL.com.au.
"It was more about asking him face to face, how he's feeling and all that kind of stuff.
"He's feeling good and we're just going to move forward.
"People might think he's Eddie Betts, he's one of the best players to ever play the game, but at the end of the day, he's still human.
"We've got to make sure he's good in that aspect as well."
Betts and Port Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder were both subject to racial slurs during Showdown 42 at Adelaide Oval last Saturday night.
It's the second time Betts, one of the most respected and electrifying players in the competition, has been racially abused at a Showdown.
A Port Adelaide supporter threw a banana on to the ground in the direction of Betts in the round 22 game between the two clubs last year.
Betts has cancelled his usual media commitments with Channel Nine and radio station 5AA this week.
Hampton wasn't aware of the comments directed towards Betts during the game and got in touch with him on Sunday when he found out.
"We're there for him all the time and we know he's a really strong person," Hampton said.
"We met up with Port Adelaide yesterday for a photo (for a local newspaper) and had a bit of yarn with (the Power players), so it's good to see both clubs come together to stamp that kind of stuff out of the game."
Power forward Chad Wingard told AFL.com.au on Tuesday it was time for Australians to take a stand against racial vilification.
Hampton said education was the key to ensuring it didn't happen in the future.
"I grew up in Alice Springs, so I saw a lot of things that a lot of other people wouldn't see, being an Aboriginal kid from there," he said.
"It does frustrate me, but it's more about educating rather than getting angry or lashing out on social media, that's not going to do anything.
"I'm sure there will be a few more things in place to stop these things from happening."
Crows assistant coach James Podsiadly said he was deeply affected by the ugly aftermath to the Showdown.
"It makes me pretty upset to see that transpire, but the good thing out of it is the way both clubs and the AFL handled it and I commend them on that," Podsiadly said.
"There's no better ambassador for our game than Eddie Betts.
"The way he handles these situations is absolutely phenomenal.
"The way the AFL, our club and Port Adelaide have handled the situation is outstanding.
"Eddie will rock up Saturday night ready to play."
