OVER the course of 316 games in 15 seasons, Eddie Betts has already shown the football world what he’s capable of.
With 600 goals, he’s on the cusp of being among the top 30 goalkickers in the history of the game. He’s already kicked the most goals of any Indigenous player at the Carlton Football Club.
At 32 years of age, his 37 goals in 2019 still saw him ranked 13th in the competition at the conclusion of the home-and-away season: his 1.8 goals-per-game average was ranked elite for a small forward.
B̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶t̶o̶ Own the future. #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/T9hMgW9zBR
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 14, 2019
He was ranked equal-fourth for goal assists at the same stage, while he averaged just shy of six score involvements per game.
However, what Betts also offers in Navy Blue are the intangibles.
The leadership he will offer a still-emerging group seven days a week is clearly a key factor behind his homecoming to Ikon Park.
The lessons he can teach Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay - they’re still just 22 and 21 respectively - when it comes to their forward craft will be priceless.
In 2019, Curnow and McKay were two of Carlton’s top six forwards for goals kicked, joined by Mitch McGovern, Michael Gibbons, Jack Silvagni and Matthew Kennedy.
Betts’ experience is evident when you consider that he outranks those six combined for games played.
He’ll take Sam Petrevski-Seton under his wing, and that’s not to mention the impact he’ll have on the likes of Sam Walsh, Liam Stocker, Paddy Dow and many more when it comes to owning the future.
Then, there’s what the games record holder in the No.19 does to the 19th player.
The energy was electric at Carlton games in 2019, so imagine the reaction when Bluebaggers see the return of the man who they’ve cheered like few before him.
Welcome back home, Eddie.
