Eddie Betts is officially back home at Ikon Park, with the Blues securing the champion small forward for a future fourth-round draft selection on day eight of the 2019 Telstra AFL Trade Period.
Betts will bring leadership, experience, elite skill and the ability to create goal-scoring opportunities like few in the competition.
He was Adelaide’s leading goalkicker during four of his six seasons in South Australia and is the third highest goalkicker in the Crows’ history. He also kicked multiple goals in 11 of his 21 games in 2019, contributing to his season tally of 37.
It is not only his incredible goal sense and ability to create something out of nothing which Betts has in his arsenal: the three-time All Australian will also bring a wealth of experience to an emerging Carlton front half.
The opportunity for these players and the other emerging talent at the Club to work alongside Betts on a daily basis will see the mercurial forward provide just as much value off-field as he will on it in 2020.
The beloved playmaker will once again don the Navy Blue guernsey in which he made 184 appearances and kicked 290 goals between 2005–2013.
He was a two-time leading goalkicker at Carlton (2010, 2012), and has kicked the most goals of any Indigenous player in the Navy Blue. In 2012, he was also inducted as a Life Member of the Carlton Football Club.
“It is good to be home,” Betts said.
“The Carlton Football Club has always had a special place in my heart. I cannot wait to pull on that Navy Blue guernsey again and run out in front of our passionate members and supporters.
“What excites me is the special feeling building at this club. To now be part of a forward line that includes some of the best young talent in the game – I want to help those guys take their game to the next level, so 2020 cannot come quick enough.
“I want this football club to be successful and I want to be part of setting a standard and building that successful culture. Bring on day one of pre-season so we can put in the hard work to get there.
“I would also like to thank the Adelaide Football Club for its understanding and especially to the Crows fans for their incredible support over the last six seasons: it was a privilege to play for you every week.”
Carlton GM of List Management and Strategy Stephen Silvagni said Betts would provide invaluable leadership to the Blues’ forward group.
“Eddie has always had a place here at Ikon Park. He will be able to add some real quality to our forward line and provide that energy which his teammates will thrive off,” Silvagni said.
“It is not just on-field with Eddie: it is the impact he can have on the playing group seven days a week, not just on game day.
“The amount of experience Eddie has with regards to his preparation and what it takes to play at AFL level will only help to further the growth and development of our emerging playing group, which makes him a fantastic acquisition for our club.
“I would like to thank the Adelaide Crows for their cooperation throughout this process: we always respected the fact that Eddie was a contracted player and we are pleased the Crows were willing to reach a fair deal.”
The 2019 Telstra AFL Trade Period concludes at 7:30pm AEDT on Wednesday 16 October.
