Eddie Betts has received Graham Johncock’s blessing to take over the No.18 guernsey next season.

Betts, who joined Adelaide as a Free Agent on Friday, has played all of his 184 AFL games in the No.19 jumper for Carlton. The No.19 at West Lakes is reserved for the Club’s members and supporters, the 19^th Man, meaning Betts will have to change numbers in 2014.

Betts and Johncock, who were both born in Port Lincoln, are second cousins.

The pair played junior football for the same club, Mallee Park, along with North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas and the Burgoyne brothers, Shaun and Peter. Betts said Johncock, who retired after a decorated career in July, had already been in touch about passing on the No.18.

“Stiffy (Johncock) sent me a text a couple of weeks ago saying, ‘If you come to Adelaide, ask for the No.18 and we’ll keep it in the family’,” Betts said on Tuesday.

“His mum and my dad are cousins. Everyone is pretty close in Port Lincoln and it’s always good to catch up. I think Stiffy has gone back to Mallee Park to coach, which is great.

“I’m okay with changing my number. I asked the Club about wearing the No.19, actually, and they said it was the fans’ number. I said, ‘That’s alright, the fans can keep their number’.

“I’m happy with whatever I get.”

Johncock isn’t Betts’ only connection to the Crows.

Adelaide ruckman and former Carlton teammate, Sam Jacobs, was on hand to greet Betts, his fiancée Anna and young son Lewis at Adelaide Airport on Monday.

“I went to lunch with big ‘Saucy’ (Sam) Jacobs yesterday and I’m going out for dinner with ‘VB’ (Nathan van Berlo) tonight,” Betts said.

“Knowing someone here already makes you feel a little bit more comfortable. It’s a bit like going to a new school with no friends, so it’s good to have big Sauce here.”

Betts, who grew up supporting Adelaide, brushed shoulders with one of his childhood idols at West Lakes on Tuesday. Club legend Andrew McLeod was quick to welcome the two-time Blues leading goalkicker to the Crows.

Betts admitted he still felt “nervous” in the dual-premiership player’s presence.

“Growing up, Andrew was my idol,” he said.

“My fiancée and I were driving past the Carlton footy ground one day and Andy was there. I pointed out the window and said, ‘that’s Andy McLeod!’

“Anna was bit shocked because she’d never seen me star struck like that before.”

Betts and McLeod will spend much of the next fortnight together as part of the Indigenous Australian Rules team to travel to Ireland. Betts has been selected in the team, while McLeod will act as an assistant to coach Rodney Eade.

“I played for Australia three years ago and it was the best trip I’ve been on in my entire footy career. Patty Dangerfield was on that trip and he was a real character,” Betts said.

“Going over with all the brothers will be exciting. Cam Ellis-Yolmen is coming over too, so it’ll be good to get to know him a bit better.

“To play alongside all the guys and get to know them a bit better will be exciting. We’re pretty close on and off the field, so to get away for two weeks and bond will be great.”