There is a distinct Crows-Carlton connection ahead of Sunday’s clash at the MCG.

Former Adelaide players Sam Kerridge and Matthew Wright, who both joined the Blues at the end of last season, are preparing to line up against their old club for the first time this weekend.

But the common ground between the two clubs dates back much further.

Eddie Betts made the move to Adelaide as a Free Agent at the end of Season 2013. Betts played 184 games for Carlton and kicked 290 goals, earning Life Membership at the club.

Since becoming a Crow, the cult figure and 2015 All Australian has kicked 152 goals in 59 straight games.

Such is the universal admiration and love for Betts, he was cheered by the Carlton faithful when he played an emotional first match against the Blues at the MCG in 2014.

A teammate of Betts’ at Carlton, Sam Jacobs also has history with both clubs.

Jacobs was recruited by the Blues with pick No.1 in the 2007 AFL Rookie Draft. The South Australian, who had to compete with Matthew Kreuzer, Robert Warnock and Shaun Hampson for a ruck spot, played 17 AFL games in four years at Carlton before seeking a trade to Adelaide at the end of 2010.

Fast forward six years and Jacobs has played 141 career AFL games, and is regarded as one of the best ruckmen in the competition.

Carlton midfielder Ed Curnow began his career on Adelaide’s rookie list. After being let go by the Crows after only one season, Curnow was snapped up by the Blues in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Last month, the hard-running onballer notched up his 100^th AFL game.

Adelaide premiership players Troy Bond and Andrew Eccles also played for both clubs. Bond joined the Crows from Carlton in the mid-1990s, while Eccles departed West Lakes to become a Blue.

Eccles was part of a trade that saw first-round pick Kris Massie land at the Crows in 2001. In that same year, Adelaide parted with wingman David Gallagher, who went on to play seven games for Carlton, to bring Sturt junior Ben Nelson back to SA. Nelson played 40 games for the Blues and another 12 at the Crows.

The first-ever player to be traded between the two clubs was Peter Turner. Turner made three appearances for Adelaide in 1994 before crossing the border and playing two games for the Blues.

Kerridge was part of a deal that netted the Crows talented local Troy Menzel. The move has been an inspired one for Kerridge, who has played every game this season and relished greater opportunities with the Blues. Wright joined Kerridge at Carlton after being let go by Adelaide at the end of 2015.

Menzel, who had a slow start to his first pre-season as a Crow because of groin surgery, has showed promise in the SANFL but two concussions have prevented him from pushing for AFL selection.

The shared history between Adelaide and Carlton extends beyond the playing field.

Crows assistant coaches Scott Camporeale and David Teague played for the Blues. Camporeale, who played 233 games for Carlton, is a premiership player and member of the Blues Hall of Fame. Teague played 50 matches, winning the best and fairest award in 2004, and got his start in coaching as the head of the club’s VFL affiliate.

In the other camp is long-serving former Crows coach, Neil Craig, who is supporting Brendon Bolton as Director of Coaching and Performance Development. Former Crows CEO Steven Trigg is in his second season at the helm of Carlton.