HE SELF-ADMITTEDLY grew up idolising Eddie Betts, debuted alongside him and played in his final game. 

Now, Corey Durdin will wear the No.19 Carlton guernsey. 

Moving from the No.29 guernsey which he wore in his opening season of 2021, Durdin is - of course - a small forward who spent large portions of his first campaign shadowing Betts in training. 

Eddie Betts keeps a close eye on Corey Durdin in his first training session, back in December last year. (Credit: AFL Photos)

He will now call the No.19 locker and guernsey his own, where Betts is the games record holder in the number. Across his two spells in Navy Blue, the fan favourite kicked 330 goals from his 218 games. 

Growing up in South Australia, Durdin spent a lot of his time as an emerging goalsneak watching Betts in the tri-colours of Adelaide.

While most youngsters pick a team and follow them (particular in the two-team state of SA), Durdin was slightly different.

“I was neither Adelaide or Port, to be honest. My old man went for the Kangaroos and I sort of followed them for a bit,” Durdin said back in August.

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Durdin on Eddie's impact

Corey Durdin touched on the relationship he's built with Eddie Betts, someone he grew up idolising.

“But the closer I got to the draft, I stopped following teams and the more I started following players. Eddie Betts was someone I looked up to.”

Durdin kicked his first Carlton goal in his second game, which came against Greater Western Sydney in Round 23.

It was also the game which will be most remembered for when the curtain came down on Betts’ stunning 350-game career.

00:52

AFL R23 | Durdin nails first AFL goal

Corey Durdin has kicked his first career goal with this finish extending his side's lead.

It’s clear the retired champion left a lasting impact on Durdin, who will now set out to forge his own path in the jumper following a conversation with the man himself following the conclusion of the season.

“I grew up idolising Eddie,” he said.

“Watching him play and snap goals from the pocket to then being his teammates, and then for him to really get around me was so good [last season].

“When I was out there with him, he was offering so much help and support and he really got around me.

Carlton's newest No.19, Corey Durdin. (Photo: Carlton Media)

“It was quite special to me and something I’ll never forget.”

Durdin becomes the first Carlton player since Jack Silvagni to change jumper numbers, who swapped from No.2 to the No.1 after his first season.

Patrick Cripps also had an early number change, with the now co-captain swapping his No.16 from season one to his synonymous No.9.

Carlton’s remaining jumper numbers will be announced later tonight.