AFL legend Eddie Betts is set to play his 350th game next weekend against the Greater Western Sydney Giants, but Sunday afternoon reports suggest it will be his last in the sport.
The Carlton Blues' favourite had reportedly set the club a deadline of this week to decide whether he would be offered a new contract, but the Herald Sun are now reporting the 34-year-old will announce his retirement this week, potentially as soon as tomorrow.
Betts will become the 19th player to reach 350 AFL or VFL games when the Blues clash with the Giants on Sunday. The match time and venue are yet to be confirmed, but it's likely to be played at Marvel Stadium, in what will be an emotional day for the Blues.
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Betts debuted for Carlton in 2005, before spending a period of six seasons with the Adelaide Crows from 2014, where he made the 2017 grand final, before shifting back to the Blues last year.
Betts has kicked a staggering 635 goals at club level, and has been named to the All-Australian team on three occasions.
It's understood coach David Teague will also finish up at the end of the game. He is contracted for 2022, but with Carlton running near enough to the bottom of the table, the club are tipped to sack the coach.
It had only been reported less than two weeks ago that Betts was nearing a new deal to play on in 2022, with the star forward saying last week that he felt physically ready to go around again.
Jon Ralph told Fox Footy on Sunday afternoon that Betts is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow.
โWe expect Eddie Betts has played his second-last game for Carlton, that heโll anounce tomorrow that heโll retire after an extraordinary career at Carlton, Adelaide and then back at Carlton,โ Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy on Sunday afternoon.
โHeโs had an extraordinary legacy that transcends AFL football.โ
