Best Betts: Why Eddie joined Geelong

EDDIE Betts joining Geelong as a part-time coach caught many by surprise earlier in the week and the AFL great has revealed how it came about.

Betts admitted he wanted to stay with the Blues, after retiring at the end of the 2021 season, but was only offered a marketing job by the club.

The 350-gamer wished to go more down a coaching pathway and Geelong offered him that opportunity.

“I would’ve loved to stay at Carlton, but I really wanted to stay in football,” Betts said.

“Carlton did offer me to work up in marketing, but my passion is football and I wanted to coach, so that’s how I’ve landed a job here.”

Betts added that he hopes to focus on Geelong’s younger and developing players in the part-time role.

The Cats earlier in the week confirmed their interest in former Crow Tyson Stengle, who has a strong relationship with Betts.

After being cut by Adelaide, Stengle has returned to the SANFL and put in a dominant season as a small forward.

“He’s played some great footy this year and got his life back on track. I’m pretty close with Tyson, I feel like I’m his older brother,” Betts said.

“When he came to the Crows me and my wife took him in and I still speak to him every day and I really hope he gets another opportunity playing AFL footy, whether it’s here or somewhere else.

“My best interest is Tyson getting back and playing AFL. If he comes to Geelong that would be great, but I’m just hoping he gets an opportunity at it.”

Betts confirmed that he will remain living in Melbourne and will make the trek down to the Cattery daily.

– BY NIC NEGREPONTIS/ SEN