Bookies taking bets on Hawks and Swans to go winless in 2017

WE are now a month into the 2017 AFL Premiership season and two of the perennial title favourites are yet to get off the mark.

Hawthorn’s massive defeat to Geelong on Easter Monday leaves them winless after four rounds – their worst start to a season since 1998.

It is a similar story for the injury-ravaged Sydney Swans, who remain stranded on zero points after their young bloods failed to contain West Coast at Subiaco on Thursday.

While both camps have urged patience and expressed confidence that things will turn around, some observers are predicting more tough times ahead for the two powerhouse clubs.

Punters in the latter category can head to Sportsbet.com.au, which has opened a range of specialty betting markets for the Hawks and the Swans.

Hawthorn are paying +5000 to finish the home and away season without a victory, while Sydney – expected to recoup several key players in the coming weeks – are pegged at +8000 to go winless.

The double bet on both teams missing the top eight is paying -153.85, but punters who reckon both sides will storm into the finals can take the much more generous +1300 quote.

The Swans are favoured to be the first of the two to register a win (+125), with their round six clash against Carlton slated as the most likely source (-117.65).

The Hawks are offering +250 to open their account before Sydney, behind the also-winless North Melbourne (+175).

Alastair Clarkson’s men are expected to have half a chance when they face St Kilda in round six (+200), although they are also paying +400 to remain winless until at least round 14.

“The Kennett Curse is long gone… it’s now just a ‘curse’ at Hawthorn and it seems to be getting worse by the week,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

Having started the season among the top three chances for the flag, Sydney have fallen to +2000 in the 2017 AFL outright betting.

Hawthorn, who were in as short as +700 in preseason, have blown out to +3300.

Hawthorn and Sydney AFL 2017 betting specials

All markets provided by Sportsbet.com.au

To finish winless

+5000 – Hawthorn
+8000 – Sydney

First to win a game

+125 – Sydney
+175 – North Melbourne
+250 – Hawthorn

Last to win a game

+125 – Hawthorn
+150 – North Melbourne
+300 – Sydney

Hawks and Swans finals doubles

-153.85 – Both to miss the top eight
+1300 – Both to reach the finals

Hawthorn’s next win

+215 – Round 5 vs. West Coast (H)
+200 – Round 6 vs. St Kilda (H)
+450 – Round 7 vs. Melbourne (A)
+375 – Round 8 vs. Brisbane (H)
+3300 – Round 9 vs. Collingwood (A)
+5000 – Round 10 vs. Sydney (A)
+6600 – Round 11 vs. Port Adelaide (A)
+3300 – Round 12 vs. Gold Coast (H)
+400 – Round 14 or later

Sydney’s next win

+195 – Round 5 vs. GWS (A)
-117.65 – Round 6 vs. Carlton (A)
+350 – Round 7 vs. Brisbane (A)
+2500 – Round 8 vs. Nth Melbourne (A)
+4000 – Round 9 vs. St Kilda (A)
+2800 – Round 10 vs. Hawthorn (H)
+5000 – Round 12 vs. Western Bulldogs (H)
+6600 – Round 13 vs. Richmond (A)
+700 – Round 14 or later