Following on from the AFL's announcement that club's were able to move two senior players to their rookie list effective immediately, the Blues have announced veteran Eddie Betts will move to the rookie list while the club also retain midfielder Matthew Kennedy.
Betts is understood to have agreed to be placed on the rookie list in order to allow the club to not make changes to its current playing list for next season.
Betts and Kennedy will be rookie-listed with Carlton for the 2021 season and will not be required to be selected via the next year's Rookie Draft.
The details within Betts' contract wont change, with both he and Kennedy remaining available for selection come Round 1 next season.
The league is set to make an official announcement in approving rookie contracts on Monday, November 30.
โWe approached Eddie about the possibility of making this decision and as soon as Eddie knew how this opportunity would help the Club, he agreed straight away,โ Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said.
โEddieโs selfless act is another example of how committed he is to our football club, his teammates and his willingness to do whatever he can to help this group in its pursuit of success.
โIt is also a terrific result that we have been able to re-contract Matthew now, without having to endure the wait until the rookie draft. Matthew was keen to stay at the Club and we wanted to keep him, so to have that finalised now is a great outcome for all parties.
โWe would like to acknowledge the AFL for delivering a rule this off-season that removes that unnecessary anxiety that can exist in the lead up to a draft for uncontracted players.โ
