Is Eddie Betts on the move to Darwin? (Photo: Carlton FC)
Eddie Betts’ retirement will have lasted for 36 days when he is likely to pull on the black and white stripes of a Palmerston Magpies guernsey in a matter of weeks.
According to the NT News, Betts is expected to line up for the Magpies in the 2021/22 Northern Territory Football League season.
Melbourne is currently a COVID-19 hot spot to the Northern Territory, meaning Betts and his family would have to undertake two weeks of mandatory quarantine at the Howard Springs Centre of National Resilience.
There is no doubt that the signature of the recently retired Blue would be a positive influence on the football-loving people of the Top End.
“AFLNT is aware of multiple NTFL clubs recently engaging and discussing with Eddie about the opportunity of playing in the NTFL this upcoming season,” AFLNT Chief Executive Stuart Totham said.
“It would be terrific for the league if Eddie were to come up for the season. It would be great to see him running out on Territory turf again.
“Eddie is a great role model and to have him play at local venues during the upcoming TIO NTFL season would be an inspiration for our younger players.
“It would mean the world for Territory kids to be able to watch and observe a footy legend and hero right in their backyard and maybe even at their own footy club.
“We welcome the prospect of Eddie coming to the Territory and being part of the NTFL season and beyond.”
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Palmerston ruckman Matthew Dennis admitted that the signature of the three-time All-Australian would boost interest in Northern Territory football.
“Having Eddie at Palmerston would be good for everyone,” he told the NT News.
“Especially at our club where so many of our young players would learn off him.
“It would be enormous and really lift the spirits of our players. We’d all be excited to play alongside him, including myself. He’s very much someone who would fit into our club culture.”
Betts has previously played four games at TIO Stadium in Darwin, including a famous two-point win over Melbourne in 2019 where he embraced the fans in a memorable post-match moment.
The arrival of the four-time AFL Goal of the Year winner to the NTFL would see him join former AFL stars Michael Long, Andrew McLeod and Maurice Rioli Snr in playing senior football in Darwin.
Palmerston kicks off its season when it travels to Gardens Oval to play the Waratah Football Club on October 3.
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