Aussies expected to top the tally at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

THE home nation is always expected to be highly competitive throughout the Commonwealth Games and that is no exception as the Gold Coast incarnation draws closer.

The last Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow back in 2014 with the English registering more golds than the Aussies, but punters looking to invest on the Gold Medal tally have seen the odds shift towards the hosts.

Sportsbet has the Australian’s as overwhelming favourites to top the Gold Medal tally, installing the green and golds as $1.53 favourites to top the podium the most times.

England ($2.50) is the only other nation under double figures to trouble the Aussies, with Canada ($34) and India ($41) the next-best options.

The games comes at a pivotal time for the nation in the wake of the ball tampering saga that has engulfed the Australian Cricketing team.

Australian Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti said the Aussie team was ‘focused on doing Australia proud’ following the shame of the cheating scandal.

“There’ll be some great stories about what Australians are doing in the way they represent their country — the way they conduct themselves and the sporting culture Australia represents here at the Games,” he said.

“It’s now incumbent upon them to take on that mantle and practice what we preach.”

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games begin on April 4.