He said the player development managers that were in place had not helped because he needed someone to “feel the pain I was going through”.

“They couldn’t really understand how I was feeling. I was talking to them,but they just didn’t feel it.

“I needed someone there that could understand me,feel the pain that I was going through.”

He said he had fought,along with Matthew Whelan,for years to have Indigenous liaison officers at every club. The AFL has this year mandated such an officer be employed at each of the 18 clubs.

Betts also spoke aboutCyril Rioli,who retired at 28 in 2018 and along with his wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli recently toldThe Ageabout their experiences at Hawthorn and why they led to his retirement.

“At 28,29 that’s when I found my voice. And Cyril retired at 28,” he said.

“It’s great that they[Rioli and Shannyn] called it out but I wish he stayed on longer and stood up and spoke about it more at the football club.

“It’s sad to see Cyril retire because of this ... One of the best talents probably to ever play this game.”

Betts said he believed he had a voice and a platform to help educate Australia and he would have “anyone’s back” when they stood up to speak out against racism.

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