It's strange to think of Eddie Betts as a seasoned veteran, but that's precisely what he'll be in Saturday's AFL grand final.
The electrifying Adelaide forward will be the most experienced player on the field when the Crows take on Richmond at the MCG.
Betts has played 276 games, including 184 with Carlton.
His nearest rival, Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt, has played 224, while Crows teammate Richard Douglas has 219 to his name.
Betts has enjoyed a spectacular career renaissance in Crows' colours and looks a long way off slowing down.
But he's well aware that opportunities to play on the big stage are fleeting, and doubly so for members of the over-30 club.
"I'm 30, turning 31 at the end of this year," Betts said at Friday's grand final parade.
"Playing for 13 years, this is the first time I've ever got the opportunity to play in a grand final.
"You'll never get this opportunity again, or if you're lucky you might have (one more), but for it to finally come, and to get the opportunity to play in a grand final, is unbelievable."
Versatile Richmond defender Dylan Grimes is the most likely to be handed the unenviable job of taking on Betts in the premiership decider.
"He's definitely a challenging player ... he only needs a couple of moments to really hurt you," Grimes said.
"He could end up with six or seven touches for the game and kick that many goals as well.
"Around the contest, around the stoppages, he's really dynamic and they look to him."
