Indigenous AFL players pledge to continue Eddie Betts’ anti-racist legacy

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Indigenous AFL players are committed to continuing Eddie Betts’ anti-racist legacy throughout their careers.

Port Adelaide winger Karl Amon said the Indigenous collective remained in shock as the fallout continued from the six-game ban on Taylor Walker from Adelaide for a racist comment.

“It was quite difficult, to be honest,” an emotional Amon told reporters on Wednesday.

“Eddie Betts mostly led this and he’s loved by the boys, the native players all over the competition.

“You would have seen his interview on 360, it kinda touched my heart.”

Eddie Betts celebrates one of the AFL’s many memorable goals. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

The great Carlton Betts has spoken of his fatigue fighting racism before announcing his retirement after this weekend’s game.

Amon said the native league players are committed to continuing the battle against racism on behalf of Betts.

“As a group of players we are fed up,” said the 25-year-old.

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“The amount of time Eddie has to deal with the media – it’s 2021 and it still happens today.

“He’s fed up. The sooner we can end this, the better.

“The more that happens, the more it builds up inside of you.

“As a group of native players, we are fed up. “

Amon, who will play his 100th AFL game on Friday night when Power can seal a top-two spot with a win over the Western Bulldogs, said all racism is felt throughout the league.

“We are doing together,” he said.

“The sooner we can educate people and move on and really call out what’s going on, the better the AFL – and future native boys will feel more comfortable stepping into the system.

“Young children who arrive may not feel safe. They wonder, if this happens to me, how will I react?

“As senior native players in the league, if we can change this thing for the young children who are coming in, make them more comfortable, then that will be a step in the right direction.”

After Betts’ televised appearance, all 18 AFL clubs released videos in support of the 34-year-old.

“What we’re doing is fine, we call it all,” Amon said.

“We know the whole competition is behind us, not just the native players. “

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