It must kill Carlton fans to see Eddie Betts carving up for the Crows.
Coming off arguably his best year, his first for the Crows, in which he scored 51 goals and averaged more possessions than any other year, Carlton are tumbling down the ladder with very little scoring power.
When Betts signaled his intention to test the free-agency waters, multiple clubs circled. This should have been a sure sign to Carlton to up their offer to the fan favourite – both monetarily and in length – but unfortunately they didn’t.
And so Eddie crossed to Adelaide, where after only one season fans wear shirts celebrating the ‘Eddie Betts Pocket’ at Adelaide Oval, where he has kicked some brilliant goals.
What was Carlton thinking?
Granted, Betts’ 2013 campaign was quite disappointing, yielding just 27 goals from 18 games, but over the past four years he had averaged 45 goals, chipping in two per game. Not only that, the forward line pressure he offered was, and still is, second to none. Last year, he averaged well over three tackles a game and gave off 29 goal assists. However both of these numbers are lower than some of his figures at Carlton.
Betts had finished second in the Carlton best and fairest of 2012 and had been in the All-Australian squad that year and the year before.
In terms of reputations at Carlton, there weren’t many better than Betts’.
At Adelaide, Betts has been fantastic. On top of goals he’s kicked, the assists he’s dished out and the pressure he’s put on opposition defences, Betts has also helped to look after up-and-coming small forward Charlie Cameron.
Cameron has lived in Betts and wife Anna’s home with their two-year-old son, and their relationship can be seen on the field as they regularly combine in passages of play and celebrate after goals.
Ranked by the AFL’s Player Ratings as the fourth-best small forward, there is no doubting Betts’ playing ability or his stature as a person. The impact he has had and would have on any club leaves me wondering how on earth Carton let him go.
We will probably never know why but, as an Adelaide fan, I would like to say to Carlton: thank you.
Darren
Guest
Just think that two years ago Carlton had three of the best small crumbing forwards, all indigenous too, in Betts, Yarran and Gartlett. I remember hearing at the time that they decided they didn't all three, and decided Yarran was their choice. They've now let the other two go, and I guess time can only tell if they made the right choice.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
Dad lives in Port Lincoln and was certainly a factor, but I think he would have stayed at Carlton if the offer was nearly as good. He actually worked as a teacher (music I think) in Melbourne and had a young family settled there.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
So far.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Betts grew up in WA but his Dad's in SA still I think, maybe that's what drew him there, along with a fat contract.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
haha. I wish it was Tippett and Davis. Mate, it was a parade when you add Bock, Gunston and Maric on
Darren
Guest
As a Carlton fan I would love to have Betts still at the club and I'm sure the club would also. I don't think it was just money. It seemed from the outside Betts was very keen to come back to SA and this deal made it possible. I'm not sure there is much Carlton could have done. Ot's great for the Crows and given they lost Tippett and Davis in recent times I'm sure they feel due.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
they're paying Thomas 700K a year. In hindsight not only is Eddie a much better player, but he was asking for significantly less. Daisy was under an injury cloud at the time and they still offered him 4 years, so I don't know why they though Eddie wasn't worth it.
The Palace
Roar Rookie
How much have Carlton paid per annum for a busted up utility player in Thomas though? Surely you were going to get a better return from Betts?
dan ced
Guest
A good pickup for sure. Snaps some pearlers.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
He's on 4 years and $2 million so I think the issue was actually the length of the deal. Whatever the case may be, its worked.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The biggest issue with Betts seemed to be his asking price. I think Carltoon wouldn't have minded keeping Betts, but got to thinking they may be better able to manage their list without paying a somewhat erratic small forward $600-$700k. The Crows on the other hand seemed to be bleeding out forwards over the past few years and their list management was much more willing to pay overs for an experienced forward.