Eddie Betts will have a familiar face standing next to him when the ball is bounced at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Evergreen defender Jarrod Harbrow is Gold Coast’s logical match-up for Betts and will be handed the unenviable task of curbing the small forward’s influence in his 300th AFL game.
The pair share a strong mutual respect, built over a decade of playing against one another, dating back to when Betts represented Carlton and Harbrow played for the Western Bulldogs.
"I’ve played on Eddie for a number of years now. He’s clearly one of the hardest players to play on," Harbrow said.
"He’s hard to match up on, he’s tricky, he’s always dangerous and he’s one mark and one goal away from getting mark and goal of the year.
"A tough opponent, but always a really good challenge."
Betts echoed similar sentiments and joked he would put in a call to his AFLX Deadly teammate ahead of Sunday’s game with a simple request.
“Jarrod, he’s a wonderful player and a tough opponent to play on,” Betts said.
“I’m going to ring him up this week and say, ‘Listen mate, go play on Lachie Murphy or someone else, someone smaller.’ Just let me have a free run at it.
“Look after a brother this week.”
In response, Harbrow insisted he was simply following coaches’ orders, but cheekily asked the three-time Goal of the Year winner not to put him on a poster on Easter Sunday.
“Bruz, I got no choice. You know I’ve gotta play on you,” Harbrow said.
Take it easy on me please. I know it’s a big occasion, it’s your 300th, but don’t kick goal or mark of the year on me please.
“We’re there to spoil your party, but all the best in your 300th brother.”
All jokes aside, the respect between Betts and Harbrow extends well beyond the football field.
They are revered leaders among the game’s Indigenous fraternity.
With his brother Marc, Harbrow owns and operates Harbrow Mentoring, providing a holistic range of programs to young people living in Far North Queensland and the Gold Coast.
This includes running a leadership and professional development program for Indigenous players in the Gold Coast Suns Academy.
"Jarrod’s not just a great player but he’s a great person outside of footy as well," Betts said.
"The stuff that he does in the community is unbelievable.
"He’s got his own program up on the Gold Coast, an Indigenous program for the youth up there which he’s doing a wonderful job."
Betts is renowned for being passionate about Indigenous health and education.
He has also had a significant influence on the lives of Adelaide’s young Indigenous players, who affectionately refer to their father figure as ‘Poppa Eddie’.
“We all know about Eddie Betts the footballer, but I think what he’s done off the field has been huge,” Harbrow said.
“Not only for the Indigenous players, both past and present, but for the culture and education that he’s been able to give the AFL and the supporters.
“He’s a leader, he’s someone that a lot of players do look up to, just the way he goes about the care for his teammates and his really strong connection he has with his family and his kids.”
