'Welcome back': Eddie Betts seals 'fairytale' AFL trade
Eddie Betts will finish his decorated AFL career at his original club Carlton after being traded by Adelaide.
The 32-year-old will reunite with his former teammate and new Carlton coach David Teague at Ikon Park.
The Crows will receive a future fourth-round draft pick in exchange for Betts, who has kicked 600 goals in a decorated 316-game career.
The small forward - who previously played nine seasons at Carlton before moving to the Crows - is a four-time goal of the year winner for his freakish snaps.
The blockbuster trade led to plenty of excitement and sadness from fans on social media.
Eddie gets his fairytale finish 💙@Adelaide_FC has traded Eddie Betts to @CarltonFC.#AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/c2gc75g0ct
— AFL (@AFL) October 14, 2019
I think I speak for many crows fans by saying thank you eddie, the amount of sheer joy you’ve given me and others is hard to put in to words how much it means. You deserve nothing but respect from every crows fan that is out there.
Thank you ❤️💛💙— Jack (@Jack_Bates10) October 14, 2019
Good luck Eddie, was a pleasure to have you at the @Adelaide_FC
— Shane Williams (@shanewi11iams77) October 14, 2019
Thanks for the memories Eddie and good luck.
Hope we still get a chance at the FS picks one day! 😉#AFLTrades— Baron von Klar ✠ 🛩️ (@BaronvonKlar) October 14, 2019
Welcome back Eddie.
— Jon Rodman (@tassie_JR) October 14, 2019
Edddddddiieeeeee
— Lachy J Edgar (@Lachy_J_Edgar) October 14, 2019
finally!!!!!!!!
— James Wasper (@Luke_bagger03) October 14, 2019
Welcome back, you legend!!
— Ren says it never ends🎃 (@jemfinanderson) October 14, 2019
WATCH: @Adelaide_FC star Eddie Betts has touched down in Melbourne ahead of his likely return to Carlton, describing it as a "fairytale ending". #9News
Follow every #AFLTrade move LIVE: https://t.co/Z5MPsk08W0 pic.twitter.com/XKN74qfv4k— Nine News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) October 14, 2019
Thank you Eddie 🙏
An outstanding contribution both on and off the field over the past six years.— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) October 14, 2019
Betts thanked the Crows for his rollercoaster last six seasons with the club.
"Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey in Adelaide and for welcoming my family and I with smiles everywhere we go," Betts said in a statement.
"The past six years have been some of the best and toughest of my football career but I am proud of the person and leader I was able to become at the Crows."
“I have developed so many important friendships with people here in Adelaide and there are lots of people to thank, such as my teammates and AFLW players, as well as the coaches, fans and supporter groups, staff and trainers.
“I am proud of the legacy I will leave here for future Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander players and hope that the community we set for ourselves inside the club stays strong and connected.”
Adelaide are undergoing a significant list overhaul with Cam Ellis-Yolmen joining Brisbane as a free agent and Hugh Greenwood, Alex Keath and Sam Jacobs also likely to find new homes during the trade period.
Matthew Nicks is expected to be confirmed as the Crows' new senior coach on Tuesday, replacing the departed Don Pyke.
Betts played the first 184 games of his career at Carlton before joining the Crows as a restricted free agent at the end of 2013.
He played 132 matches for the Crows.
It's understood the classy forward was keen on the move back to Melbourne due to family reasons.
Betts' relationship with Blues coach Teague - whom he used to play alongside - is also a big reason behind his return to the club.
With AAP