Eddie Betts to reject Gold Coast offer, wants return to Carlton

Eddie Betts is expected to tell Gold Coast he wants to move back to Melbourne despite Carlton’s reluctance to match the Suns’ offer to him.

Eddie Betts of the Adelaide Crows.

Gold Coast Coast is officially out of the race for Eddie Betts as the former Carlton star attempts to find his way back to the Blues.

Gold Coast offered a two-year deal for Betts and believed he would be a chance to move north to mentor some of the club’s indigenous players after a 37-goal season.

But the Herald Sun understands Betts will attempt to get to Carlton, happy to move back to Victoria and aware his wife is keen to reunite with her family in Melbourne.

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It remains to be seen the Blues get that deal done but their fan base would be thrilled to secure one of the club’s true cult heroes.

Betts wants to play at Carlton even though the Blues have made clear they would not pay him his full contract of over $500,000 and would not offer him a two-year deal.

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Yesterday, Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps says he would love to welcome Eddie Betts back to the Blues.

The superstar goalkicker is on the outer at Adelaide and wants to return to the club where he played 184 games from 2005-13.

He is one of several small forwards on the Blues’ trade radar, along with Swan Tom Papley and Richmond premiership player Dan Butler.

Eddie Betts wants to return to Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Cripps said Betts could form a lethal partnership with indigenous youngster Sam Petrevski-Seton.

“I actually haven’t been asked the question but … Eddie still kicked 37 goals in a team that didn’t play finals, I think you’d be silly not to ask the question,” he said on SEN.

“If he came to us I’d be absolutely stoked, to be honest.”

Cripps said he is enjoying the Blues becoming a destination club again after Gold Coast talent Jack Martin nominated the Blues as his preferred destination for 2020.

“It would be nice to get a few small forwards,” Cripps said.

“It’s awesome that Jack’s said he wants to come, the other three (Papley, Betts, Butler) I’m not sure on yet but it’s good to have players wanting to come to your club.

“We haven’t really had that since I’ve been here.

“I suppose when a big Melbourne club gets going players want to go there and that’s what we want.”

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Originally published as Eddie Betts to reject Gold Coast offer, wants return to Carlton