After months of deliberation, the lure of being part of a historic year at their home club has proven too hard for the Betson brothers – Keelin and Liam – to ignore.
Keelin has confirmed to K rock Football that they will depart reigning GFNL grand finalist St Joseph’s and return to Goulburn Valley league outfit Mooroopna this year, a season in which the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.
“This is pretty special – the 150th year; there’s not many country clubs that turn 150 years old,” he said.
“We thought it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss, as it’s our home club and we’ve got a lot of connections back home.
“Our parents live basically over the back fence as well. Dad’s pretty involved as well, so it’s been our family club for years.”
Keelin, who was named on the interchange in the 2025 Team of the Year, revealed two factors that complicated the decision: reaching last year’s grand final and the exodus of players from Drew Oval during the off-season.
The Betsons’ departure brings to 11 the number of players from the Joeys’ side that fell to St Mary’s in the decider set to play elsewhere this year, with Joel Edwards and Tanner Owen linked to moves.
“We had a great year last year there, and it was pretty disappointing to lose in the grand final,” he said.
“And we’re both good mates with ‘Gowy’ (James Gow), who’s first year co-coaching with Ron (Watt).
“It felt like we’d let him down a bit as well.”
However, Keelin expects both he and Liam, who was runner in St Joseph’s best-and-fairest in 2024, the same year he was also named in the GFNL Team of the Year, to be back in the red, gold and black in 2027.
“Yeah, we think so,” Beetson said.
X: @krockfootball
