Carlton veteran Eddie Betts would like to see teammate Sam Petrevski-Seton get an extended run in the midfield.
The Blues’ top pick in the 2016 National Draft started his career as an on-baller, but was thrust into defence in 2019.
Despite Petrevski-Seton struggling in the new role, the coaching staff persisted with the change until the middle of 2021 where he was pushed to half forward and the wing.
He has been dropped on two occasions since then and once again finds himself lining up in the VFL.
Betts, who is currently out of the side with an ankle sprain, feels the West Australian needs to be settled down as an on-baller.
“Samo, he’s an unbelievable talent, and coming to the club last year I watched him play in the midfield and he absolutely dominated and he went to the half back flank last year and the start of this year,” Betts told AFL Nation before the clash with St Kilda.
“Personally, to me, he should be in the middle.
“He can use it with his left or right, can win clearances, but it’s the challenge of getting into that midfield.
“When you’ve got Patrick Cripps, Paddy Dow now is playing some great footy for us, Sam Walsh is up there with the three best players in the competition.
“It’s a pretty tough midfield to break in and he’s played up at half forward.
“If the ball’s not coming down into the forward line, it’s pretty hard to get involved as a small forward. Sometimes you can get starved.
“I guess he was thrown around a lot this year with is positions, but I’d love to see him play in the middle and hold that spot in the middle.”
On his own recovery, Betts said he was a chance to play this weekend but the swelling of his ankle wouldn’t allow it.
He expects to be available for selection next weekend.