How a night in a prison cell turned Eddie Betts' life around

Adelaide forward Eddie Betts admits a night in a prison cell helped turn his life around to reach the 300-game milestone.

The former Carlton forward got involved in "all the wrong things" early in his life, including struggling with a gambling problem.

Speaking on Fox Footy's AFL 360, Betts spoke about the infamous Carlton boat cruise in 2009, where he was arrested in Melbourne for being drunk.

The 32-year-old says this was a major turning point in his career.

“I guess everyone would’ve known about the boat cruise, the famous Carlton boat cruise and I went out that night and I got arrested in Melbourne’s CBD,” he told AFL 360.

“I spent the night in the cells.

“It was very scary to sit in there with someone else laying on the hard concrete bed next to you just shaking.

LISTEN TO EVERY SEN AFL GAME ON THE NEW SEN APP!
UPDATE THE APP OR DOWNLOAD TODAY - Apple OR Android

“You think to yourself what are you doing, is this going to be the end of my career?

“I sat down and spoke to my wife, Anna and decided to snap out of it.

“I had to change my ways professionally and become a professional athlete.

“I had to learn how to be a professional athlete, I had to go out and train hard and concentrate on my footy and that’s what I did and I ended up putting myself on the right path.”

Ten years on, Betts will be running out with Adelaide for his 300th game as a three-time All-Australian and six-time club leading goalkicker (four times for Adelaide, twice for Carlton).

He has kicked 569 goals in his stellar career.