Adelaide star Eddie Betts has issued a heartfelt message of thanks to not only his own football club for their unwavering support, but also South Australian rivals Port Adelaide and the AFL community as a whole.
Speaking on Adelaide radio on Thursday morning, the two-time All Australian admitted it has been a difficult week but he has valued the outpouring of support shown far and wide.
“It’s been a tough week,” Betts said.
“The support that’s been shown to me and my family has been great, from both footy clubs, the players’ association (AFLPA) and the AFL with Gill McLachlan. He gave me a call three days ago before he did that press conference.”
"I want to thank everyone out there for their support, it’s been fantastic."
Betts’ selfless attitude was evident throughout the interview, revealing he had checked in with Power star Paddy Ryder to see how he was going in the wake of the Showdown XLII fallout and describing his concern for his wife Anna and his two children, Lewie and Billy.
"It's racism and we want to stomp it out of the game. Enough is enough,” Betts said.
"It affects me, but it affects people around me more.
"My wife Anna, she was very upset with it this week, just the hatred of it, she was teary.
"Our kids are Indigenous and they will have to grow up with this stuff as well."
The Crows host Essendon this Saturday night at Adelaide Oval and Betts’ mind is solely on the job at hand, reinforcing the message he posted on Instagram earlier this week.
"I've got a job to do," he said.
"I'll go out there and be myself, my upbeat, bubbly, smiley self and just keep doing that."