Eddie Betts earned his three AFL All-Australian selections when David Teague was his forward line coach at Adelaide.
The freakish goalsneak said Teague’s appointment as Carlton senior coach was a “really big pull” for his decision to return to the Blues.
“He’s part of it … I think I played my best footy under David Teague when he was our forward line coach,” Betts said.
“I just can’t wait to reconnect and see what he’s like as a senior coach.”
With Teague and other Carlton personnel looking on, Betts fronted the media on the boundary line at Ikon Park.
He had flown over from Adelaide earlier on Monday when it became clear the trade would happen.
Carlton have given up a future round-four pick for the 32-year-old goalsneak, who returns to the Blues on a one-year deal and will probably wear the No.19 guernsey again.
A small group of vocal Blues fans were also on hand to welcome him back.
Betts is bullish about what Carlton can achieve and hopes they can get trades for Gold Coast’s Jack Martin and Sydney small forward Tom Papley.
He added he would put in a call to Martin, with Wednesday’s trade deadline looming.
“We have an exciting young group. Just looking at the boys now, the young tall forward down there, if the trade period goes the right way in Carlton’s hands they could another two small forwards in Tom Papley and Jack Martin,” he said.
“I can probably get Jack Martin done, but I don’t know about Papley.
“I will give Jack a call and see what he thinks, but hopefully both of them can come.”
Adelaide dropped Betts this season and his best is behind him, but one of the greatest small forwards in AFL history is upbeat about what he can give the Blues.
“This club has always been in my heart and it’s a fairytale and a homecoming,” he said.
“My leadership really stood up when I was over there and I believe I can still play some good footy … I believe I still have a lot to offer,” he said.
“My body is fine – I will play until my body says I can’t play any more. I have no injuries …. my agility is there; my speed is there.”
