Eddie Betts

REPORTS: Betts backs himself for 2020 (and beyond?)

Eddie Betts could be heading home this week!

Published by
Matt James

The once-dynamic Adelaide forward Eddie Betts is 'within days' of agreeing to a one-year deal at Carlton, writes Herald Sun's Jon Ralph.

Ralph suggests Betts is "poised to again become a Carlton player" in exchange for Carlton's draft pick 47.

With a year still remaining on his Adelaide contract, it is reported the Crows will contribute upwards of $100,000 to Carlton's overall offer of around $400,000 for him to return to Ikon Park in 2020.

If Betts were to stay in South Australia next year, he could earn up to $600,000.

The short-term Blues deal would effectively mean the 32-year-old Betts must regain some of his sparkling goalkicking form, or at least provide solid leadership, to trigger a contract extension beyond next year.

It is believed the Gold Coast Suns were offering two years, but despite being born in South Australia, a teenage Eddie Betts found his feet in Melbourne's east and now wants to be closer to his partner's Wangaratta family.

Carlton is also deep in the hunt for other small forwards Jack Martin (Gold Coast) and Tom Papley (Sydney), which could be a double-edged sword for Betts.

Whilst it potentially means less heat from opposition defenders, he'd also require solid contributions to ensure selection and/or a possible contract renewal for 2021.

The mercurial Betts won Goal of the Year for a fourth time this season. But it was one of only 29 and 37 goals kicked in his last two years, after being Adelaide's leading goalkicker for the previous four.

His career-high season tally was 75 goals in 2016.

Since named as Carlton's best first year player in 2005, he's accrued the impressive figures of 316 games and 600 career goals so far.

Blues fans were quick to get on board the announcement this week, with one posting on Wikipedia:

Eddie Betts will be traded back to Carlton for Pick 47 of the national draft and will assist Carlton to a 4 peat in 2021,2022,2023 and 2024.

The edit has since been removed.

Published by
Matt James