Carlton list changes: Eddie Betts set to play on at Blues in 2021
With the Carlton list set for another shake-up, will Eddie Betts play on in 2021? The Blues have made a call on the star small-forward.
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Eddie Betts’ role as a pressuring forward and the club’s lack of youngsters displacing him in the senior side is set to hand him one final season at the Blues.
Carlton sources indicated last night that the club was still working through the specifics of his future so could not officially confirm the deal.
But with coach David Teague saying Betts had been “outstanding” this season on Friday morning, he will secure another one-year deal.
His manager Garry Winter had told News Corp this week he wanted to go on but needed an answer from the club so he could say his farewell if he was to be pensioned off.
Carlton has agreed to sign him on another one-year deal after weighing up his role as a forward that has strong pressure numbers and exceptional leadership despite a dramatic drop-off in goals.
Betts has kicked only 13 goals in 14 games this year and kicked only three goals in the past eight games but has been involved in key match-winning contests including four goals against the Bulldogs.
Winter said earlier this week Betts wanted to be judged on football talent alone and not his role as a potential indigenous ambassador.
“His view is that he still has a lot to give,” Winter told the Herald Sun.
“Everyone is caught up in how many goals he is kicking and I think his defensive work doesn’t quite get the rating it deserves given the pressure he puts on.
“So we will be speaking to the club this week. We wanted to calm everything down given the club had a mathematical chance on Sunday.
“I would hope before the season ends we would know. While it’s tough for Eddie, I really do empathise with clubs on how difficult a decision it is for them. He is just focusing on a decision that would see him play next year, rather than considering a farewell.”
Matthew Kreuzer will join Kade Simpson in retirement but Marc Murphy has agreed to terms on a one-year deal.
The Blues will attempt to re-contract star captain Patrick Cripps on another long-term deal over summer.
Zac Fisher has grown into his role as a small forward despite being upset early to be forced from the midfield.
He is contracted to the end of 2021 and will likely have the club offering him a contract extension over the summer after Jacob Weitering re-signed until 2025.
Senior coach David Teague said this week Betts was still in the senior team but stopped short of guaranteeing his future.
“He started the season well. Our scoring’s dropped away. When we were getting the ball in there quicker he was more dangerous,” Teague said.
“He still plays an important role. His pressure’s still been quite strong. We’ll just have to have a look at that as we go forward and we get a bit more understanding of list sizes and to manage that. But he’s still playing a role, he’s still in our best 22 at the moment.”
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Originally published as Carlton list changes: Eddie Betts set to play on at Blues in 2021