Curtly Hampton is pleased to avoid a rematch with his toughest-ever opponent, Eddie Betts, after joining the All Australian forward at Adelaide in the AFL Trade Period.
Hampton, 22, became a Crow on Friday after Greater Western Sydney accepted Adelaide’s second-round pick in the 2016 National Draft in exchange for the exciting Giant.
The skilful and quick 22-year-old was assigned the unenviable task of stopping Betts when GWS took on the Crows at Adelaide Oval in Round Five last year. Playing as a rebounding defender, he held Betts to a solitary goal in the Giants’ 65-point loss, whilst also collecting 17 possessions.
Despite the solid performance, Hampton lists the two-time Crows leading goalkicker as his most difficult match-up.
The Territorian said he was relieved his battles with Betts would now be confined to training.
“Last season at Adelaide Oval, I had to do a job on Bettsy,” Hampton said.
“I was playing as a backman and he was on fire. I think he had a bag of four in the weeks before me … so I was pretty nervous. I held him to one goal, which he got from the umpire because the umpire blocked me at a marking contest. I’m sure Eddie remembers that!
“He was a very tough opponent, so I’m glad I won’t have to play on him anymore. Hopefully, I’ll be kicking the ball to him.”
As is their nature, Eddie and wife Anna have already embraced the Club’s newest recruit.
Hampton got to know Betts, as well as Charlie Cameron and Cam Ellis-Yolmen at the AFL Players' Association Indigenous Camps over the past couple of years.
The Crows trio were quick to reach out to Hampton and his partner, Emma, when the Giant nominated Adelaide as his preferred destination for 2016 and beyond.
“Eddie’s been pretty good to me the last few weeks, and Charlie Cameron as well,” Hampton said.
“They sent me messages when they heard I could be coming here (when he nominated Adelaide), and we had a bit of a yarn on the phone.
“As soon as I got here, they invited us around for dinner which I hear is a bit of a regular thing for some of the boys. Me and my partner, Emma, went around there and it seems to be a pretty good place to go anytime you need him.”
