Coburg are pleased to announce that Mitch Betson has joined the club for the 2017 season from the Black Diamond AFL competition’s Terrigal-Avoca, based on the New South Wales Central Coast.
One of the competition’s premier key forwards, he managed 24 goals from ten games in 2016, resulting in him finishing runner up in the club’s goal kicking and best and fairest, despite being injured throughout the season. Betson had a bad run of injury throughout the 2015/16 seasons where he would only manage less than 20 games in that time.
Having only begun playing Australian Rules Football in 2012, Betson who stands at 198cm possesses an outstanding overhead marking ability, athleticism and set shot for goal. Mitch kicked 42 goals in the Panthers’ premiership year of 2014, and also managed 30 goals from 17 games in 2013 where they made the Grand Final, only to finish runners-up. He has been a premiership player on three occasions- in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
His decision to give VFL a go was inspired by Daniel Lloyd of the GWS Giants- who was drafted to the Rookie List of the AFL’s youngest club at the end of the 2015 seasons drafts’ whilst playing for local rival Killarney Vale.
“It’s just about playing footy at one of the highest levels in a really professional environment, and competing as hard as I can.” Betson said upon signing with the Lions.
List and Recruiting Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo was delighted with securing the services of Mitch for 2017.
“Mitch was originally linked to Frankston for 2017 but with their situation we were more than happy to extend an opportunity to him.”
“He is an athletic raw talent that hasn’t played the game for very long. What excites us is his appetite to want to continue to develop his game and just play at the highest level he can. He has a great attitude and he’s also super keen to immerse himself in Melbourne and the footy culture that exists here. We can’t wait to start working with him.”
We look forward to seeing Mitch play in season 2017. Stay tuned for further announcements of new recruits arriving at the Piranha Park ahead of the preseason campaign beginning shortly.
