Retired AFL stars return to grassroots

A band of former AFL stars will be pulling their boots back on to help grassroots footy — here’s how to get them to your local club.

Former AFL stars Dale Thomas, Eddie Betts and Nathan Jones are pulling their boots back on to help grassroots footy clubs. Picture: Getty Images

Carlton great Eddie Betts and a band of former AFL stars will come out of retirement to help grassroots Victorian footy clubs bounce back from two years on the sidelines.

Hawthorn triple premiership star Jarryd Roughead will also pull on the boots again as part as a campaign to help community clubs hit hard by the Covid-19 ­pandemic.

Beer giant Carlton Draught will on Monday launch the campaign that will see eight recently retired AFL players recruited to play a game for local Victorian teams.

The “Carlton Draft” will help suburban and country clubs get back on their feet and encourage Victorian communities to support local footy.

Melbourne 300-game player Nathan Jones and Collingwood premiership star Dale Thomas will also be announced among former stars to play alongside and against community players.

Four-time goal of the year winner Betts told the Herald Sun the opportunity of playing in front of a community crowd was exciting.

“It will be cool to see all the kids and put smiles on their faces,’’ he said.

“It’s good to give back to grassroots football … as long as they kick me the ball I will be happy.’’

Dale Thomas, Eddie Betts and Nathan Jones pose are ready to play for your locla club. Picture: Getty Images

Eight local clubs will be given the chance to draft a former AFL star to their ranks, with more players to be announced.

“For me playing AFL senior footy for 17 years was hard, it’s tough at the top level,’’ Betts said. “But to go back and play at grassroots, especially clubs here in Victoria that were really hurt by the pandemic over the last two years and didn’t really get to play footy, it’s always good to go help out.’’

Footy great Jonathan Brown, who will serve as “draft commissioner’’ said some of the AFL veterans “might finish with bruised egos and bodies’’ but it would be “fun to watch’’.

“Being a country Victorian boy myself, I know how hard it has been for many local communities throughout the last couple of years,’’ he said.

The former AFL stars will take to the field for one game during a local club’s home and away season.

Jones said he had kept himself “in good nick’’ to help whichever grassroots club drafts him. “I have always loved my local footy and I can’t wait to play my first game since retiring last year,’’ he said.

Carlton and United Breweries spokesman Hayden Turner said the campaign would “make a real difference to the clubs and communities after a very challenging two years”.

The draft of players will be screened live on Fox Footy on April 27 and matches to kick off from April 30.

Go to www.thecarltondraft.com.au to nominate your club. Entries close on March 27.