Adelaide recruit Eddie Betts models his new jersey. Picture: Richard Serong Source: CAS Richard Serong / HeraldSun
EDDIE Betts said the chance to be close to family, as well as the security of a lucrative contract offer, were the motivating factors behind his move to the Crows.
"It wasn't all about the money, it was about family as well," said Betts, who will turn 27 next month.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
He said the chance to be near his father, Eddie Senior, was a key driver in his decision.
Betts will reportedly receive $4 million over four years with the Crows, a team he barracked for as a teenager in Port Lincoln.
"Security was part of the reason as well," Betts said.
"I've got a young family now, a little son Lewis, so hopefully we can pay off our house."
Betts also said he considered a switch to North Melbourne.
"I'm pretty close with Lindsay Thomas and Daniel Wells as well, so it was a pretty tough decision for me, but it was just the family that got me back to South Australia."
He said his manager had spoken to both clubs during the season, "but it didn't really get put into place until three weeks ago".
Betts denied speculation that his relationship with Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was a factor in his decision to quit the Blues.
"No not at all. A lot of guys have said that, but if anyone knows Mick personally he's just a family man, a fantastic bloke, and he's not the reason at all," he said.
Several commentators had suggested during the season that the Blues struggled to accommodate all of the
"Three Amigos" (Betts, Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett) in the same team.
"There was people saying that we couldn't work together," Betts said.
"It's been pretty hard."
He suggested his two good mates had joked that his departure would make life easier for them now.
"They were a bit upset, actually," Betts said.
"But then Chris was like, 'yeah, I can go back down forward now', and Jeff was pretty happy as well, he said 'yeah, that's good, we'll kick all the goals now'."
Adelaide midfielder Patrick Dangerfield said the Crows players were excited about the Betts decision.
"I think it certainly makes the forward line more potent," Dangerfield said.
"I think if you look at statistics and what Eddy's been able to do, especially over the past five years, he's been one of - if not the - premier small forward. He addresses a need that we have and I think he'll love being under the feet of a Tex Walker.
"I found out (Betts was joining the Crows) a couple of days ago and I was very excited, because when you have a quality player and also a quality person like Eddy, he immediately makes us better.
"We didn't play finals this year, but I think he's a piece of the puzzle that will make that job easier."
Betts will join the Indigenous All Stars squad for next month's tour of Ireland before reporting for duty with the Crows.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Mick friction not a factor: Betts
Dengan url
http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2013/10/mick-friction-not-factor-betts.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Mick friction not a factor: Betts
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Mick friction not a factor: Betts
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar