Eddie Betts returns to Carlton after trade with Adelaide to end his career at the Blues

Eddie Betts has returned to the club where he started his AFL career, finalising a move to Carlton after six seasons at the Adelaide Crows.

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Eddie Betts has returned to the club where he started his AFL career, finalising a “fairytale ending” move to Carlton after six years at the Adelaide Crows.

The three-time All Australian and four-time goal of the year winner was this afternoon unveiled as a Blue once again, in a romantic reunion for the Crows fan favourite.

Betts described it as a “fairytale ending” for his career and revealed he almost broke down in tear upon arriving at Ikon Park again.

“It is mixed emotions. Good positive emotions. It has only just happened and we were talking about it for a little while but for it to finally happen, I was really emotional walking onto this ground that I left six years ago. I almost started crying, to be honest,” he said.

“I am a life member at the Carlton football club, and this club has always been in my heart and it’s a fairytale and homecoming as well.”

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Eddie Betts in one of his final games for the Crows. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Despite being offered a lucrative three-year contract by the Gold Coast Suns, Betts has inked a one-year deal to return to Carlton.

Betts said Adelaide had welcomed him and his family and believed he had set a legacy at the Crows for future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

“The past six years have been some of the best and toughest of my football career but I am proud of the person and leader I was able to become at the Crows,” he said.

“I have developed so many important friendships with people here in Adelaide and there are lots of people to thank, such as my teammates and AFLW players, as well as the coaches, fans and supporter groups, staff and trainers.

“I am proud of the legacy I will leave here for future Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander players and hope that the community we set for ourselves inside the Club stays strong and connected.”

Thank you Eddie 🙏

An outstanding contribution both on and off the field over the past six years.

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) October 14, 2019

B̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶t̶o̶ Own the future. #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/T9hMgW9zBR

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 14, 2019

The Crows will pay some of Betts’ salary in the deal, which will allow the small forward to return to Melbourne to be closer to his partner’s family in Wangaratta, and will receive a future fourth round selection for allowing Betts to return to the Blues.

This will free up significant salary cap space for a player who may have struggled to play regular senior footy in 2020, with the Crows keen to give more opportunities to Tyson Stengle and Shane McAdam.

Betts was controversially dropped to the SANFL for a game during the 2019 season, at the height of the Crows struggles.

This, and the appointment of David Teague to the Blues job, sparked speculation that Betts could seek to return to Melbourne and the Blues.

He did not officially request a trade from Adelaide, but signalled an intent to return to his former club and the Crows decided to do right by the cult hero.

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Crows list manager Justin Reid said few players were as talented and popular as Betts, who had the forward pockets at Adelaide Oval dubbed as “Eddie’s pocket”.

“He has given our members and supporters so much to cheer about and produced some moments of absolute brilliance and no one will ever forget ‘Eddie’s Pocket’ at Adelaide Oval,” Reid said.

“Eddie has been such an important part of our forward line in recent years, and has consistently hit the scoreboard and brought teammates into the game with a selfless approach.

“He has also opened up his home and helped encourage and guide the next generation of indigenous players, while his work in the wider community has ensured he is a role model for all ages.

“Eddie, Anna and their children Lewis, Billy, Alice and Maggie will always be part of the Crows family and we wish them the very best with their move back to Victoria and for the years ahead.”

Betts’ former teammates took to social media soon after the return was announced.

Taylor Walker said he had the “A1 seat for the past 6 years getting to watch this magician do what every kid dreams of”.

“You’re selfless, passionate and you have a huge heart & I am just so grateful that I got to play with you & experience some bloody good times! My mum always said “good things do come to an end” BUT our friendship will last forever,” Walker posted on Instagram.

Sam Jacobs paid tribute to his friendship with Betts.

“Your career so far has been a highlight reel but it’s what you have done off field that has made you the number 1 man in town! Lots more good times ahead,” Jacobs posted on Twitter.

I’ve had the A1 seat for the past 6 years getting to watch this magician do what every kid dreams of, kicking goals from the boundary week after week after week. You’re selfless, passionate and you have a huge heart… https://t.co/XA0NfRjosY

— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) October 14, 2019

Been a pleasure mate!! Plenty of ups and downs, our friendship and families have become so close. Your career so far has been a highlight reel but it’s what you have done off field that has made you the number 1 man in town! Lots more good times ahead 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/fZILbwIRI8

— Sam Jacobs (@samjacobs24) October 14, 2019

Well said Fitz. Gonna miss the great man, did so much for so many https://t.co/YvenvIjeRF

— Brodie smith (@Brodiesmith33) October 14, 2019

Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said it was a romantic return for Betts but said Betts would add “potency” to the Blues’ forward line.

Betts contentiously walked out as a free agent on Carlton six seasons ago as they instead handed a lucrative contract to Dale Thomas.

And while there are plenty of doubters over whether this is the right move by the Blues, Betts is 32 and kicked 37 goals this season but 12 of them came against the Gold Coast, the returning Carlton hero backed himself to continue to shine in the AFL in 2020.

“I think I have changed a lot, I am a better leader, going to Adelaide I thought my leadership really stood up and coming back here I believe I can still play some good footy,” he said.

“I am 32 but I believe I still have a lot to offer. It was the right time in my career to make the move back to Carlton where it all began.”

Betts said a lot of this confidence came from being reunited with Teague.

“(Teague) is part of it, David came across to the Crows and he was our forward line coach and our offensive coach and the way he really shaped our ball movement, I played my best footy under David Teague and I can’t wait to reconnect and see what he is like as a senior coach,” Betts said.

Betts kicked 310 goals in 132 games for the Crows, and established one of the forward pockets at Adelaide Oval as the “Eddie Betts pocket”.

Originally published as Eddie Betts returns to Carlton after trade with Adelaide to end his career at the Blues