If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it seems Adelaide superstar Eddie Betts has a big fan in Fremantle small forward Michael Walters.
A star in his own right, Walters said on Tuesday he tried to base his own game on the brilliant Crow.
Walters has already asked whether they can swap jumpers after Adelaide and the Dockers' Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round clash this Saturday night.
"I'm always excited going up against guys like Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron...they're strong role models in the indigenous community and it's always exciting to play against them," Walters said.
"I snuck him a text today asking if I can swap jumpers with him at the end of the game.
"We're pretty close. The Indigenous boys go on a camp every two years and we're all pretty close."
Walters keeps a close eye on Betts' on-field exploits, as well as his off-field community leadership, and wishes he could emulate some of the Crows' freakish goalkicking.
"It's kind of hard. He's just born with that talent," Walters said.
"He does weird things where he can kick the ball from the pocket or step two or three players, just driving the ball off his opposite foot and kicking the goal.
"It's things you can't put into practice."
Walters is in great touch after battling a form slump – not helped by a nagging ankle issue he picked up in round three.
The 26-year-old had 20 touches and booted a goal the next week against Melbourne, but his output dipped until he was thrown into the midfield against Essendon in round seven.
Walters racked up 26 touches before collecting a career-best 38 disposals in the after-the-siren win over Richmond.
Then last Sunday he celebrated passionately after breaking a four-game goal drought with three match-turning majors as Fremantle steamrolled Carlton.
"I hadn't kicked a goal in a couple of weeks, I forgot what it was like," Walters said.
"Every week I do mental imagery (and) kicking goals is a big part of my mental imagery, and also running into the midfield and playing my role.
"I know that if I am in a bit of a form slump … and if I stay mentally strong, it's going to pan out the way I want it to."
Walters modelled the Dockers' new indigenous jumper designed by No.1 ticketholder Richard Walley and former Freo star Dale Kickett, and said he was setting himself to make an impact against the Crows.
"We set ourselves for every week, we want to play good footy, but if you play well in Indigenous Round it's a bonus," he said.
