Eddie Betts has landed in Darwin amid speculation he could play for Wanderers Eagles in the NTFL

Star AFL footballer Eddie Betts has arrived in Darwin with his family ahead of his likely debut NTFL appearance.

WANDERERS fans, don’t give up.

You still might be seeing one of the greatest AFL players of the modern era playing for your beloved Muk Muks in a matter of weeks.

The NT News can reveal Eddie Betts landed in Darwin on Saturday and went straight to Howard Springs to quarantine for two weeks with his family.

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While doing that, speculation mounted that the champion small forward could be set to make a last-minute change of plans.

It was just last week when the NT News revealed Betts was still set to come to Darwin, with the AFL legend saying it would be “highly likely” he would play for Palmerston, before officially taking up his coaching development role at Geelong on January 17.

Eddie Betts and Eddie Jr after arriving in Darwin before quarantining at Howard Springs. He will line up for either Palmerston or Wanderers in what will be the biggest signing in NTFL history. Picture: Glenn Campbell

But he did say this:

“My good friend Tyron Maher has played a big role in getting me to come up and play.

“But he’s gone from Palmerston to Wanderers and I’ve wanted to play with him because I’ve grown up with him”.

While Betts and Maher could not be reached for comment on Saturday, Wanderers president Jerome Cubillo never fully gave up on seeing Betts in an Eagles guernsey.

“I haven’t heard if Eddie is in town. But after reading that he wanted to play with Tyron, that still left the door open for him to play for us,” Cubillo said.

“With the Covid situation we put the cue in the rack in terms of trying to get him to play for us because we just didn’t think it was possible.

“We were also looking at what we could afford.

“We know Eddie’s spoken to Palmerston. We’ve also spoken to him, but not since September, and everything has been up in the air with the Covid situation.

“We know Tyron has been speaking to Eddie, so we’ve still entertained the hope that he’ll still play for us in November or December.

“But it’s just been about navigating all the uncertainty with the Covid situation.”

AFL legend Eddie Betts after being added to the Geelong coaching staff. Before he officially takes on this role in January he will play in the NTFL in what will be the biggest signing in Territory football history. He will play for either Palmerston or Wanderers. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The NT News also revealed last week that Betts will work as an ambassador for Coles while living in Darwin.

In this role he will help deliver and tailor the Coles Healthy Kicks program to Indigenous communities across the Territory to help educate and motivate children aged between six and 12.

Betts will encourage these kids to become more physically active, eat nutritious food and develop a healthy mind and body while having fun with others.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have named former star Buffaloes forward Darren Shillabeer in their matchday squad to take on Nightcliff in the round 3 blockbuster at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

Big Darren Shillabeer has gone from Buffaloes to Wanderers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The big matchwinning forward – who helped Darwin to the 2017-18 grand final – will be a fly-in player from Adelaide.

“It’s exciting for us to have Darren, especially after the great season Brett Eddy had up front for us last season,” Cubillo said.

“Darren will be great for us on and off the field.”