Crows remain AFL flag favourites despite poor month

JUST two wins from the final five weeks of home and away football has not swayed Sportsbet.com.au’s opinion of Adelaide and their premiership credentials.

The online bookmaker has the minor premiers as the $3.15 favourites for the flag, narrowly ahead of their qualifying final opponents, Greater Western Sydney ($4.50).

Despite sitting outside the top four, Sydney ($5) are the next best option in the market while Richmond’s red-hot end to the regular season has seen them assume the fourth line of betting at the $6 mark.

All the pressure is on Adelaide to perform after a disappointing conclusion to the regular season.

While the Crows finished on top of the ladder to earn a home final, Adelaide coach Don Pyke said prior to his team’s defeat at the hands of West Coast on Sunday that they would have liked to take winning form into the post-season.

“Our focus this week is to go and play a brand of footy that we want to take into finals,” Pyke said.

“The result becomes important for us because winning is a habit. We want to create good habits.”

Two losses in a row and still take out the minor premiership good season you crows .. #WeFlyAsOne @Adelaide_FC

— nixon (@nixongunslinger) August 28, 2017

The final game of the season saw the Crows take in an under-strength side that did not have captain Taylor Walker or All-Australian defender Daniel Talia in the ranks.

Pyke believes getting a chance to see players outside the starting 22 will become pivotal in the finals.

“Our best side is based on form,” Pyke said.

“For the next six weeks we’ll need a number of players, not just 22. It’s often said that it’s not teams that win finals and Grand Finals, it’s squads.

“We’ve got some guys who will be important for us.

“In this game, you’re only one or two injuries or suspensions away from bringing in a few fresh players.”

Bookmakers open Gary Ayres Medal betting

The AFL last year introduced the Gary Ayres Medal, which is awarded to the player adjudged to be the most valuable across the entire finals series.

Much like the Brownlow Medal markets throughout the 2017 season, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and reigning Charlie winner Patrick Dangerfield (both $5) dominate the betting.

One more lot of 3 votes to @Richmond_FC star @DustinMartin4 who finishes 7 votes clear of @GeelongCats' @dangerfield35 in @Tyrepower POTY! pic.twitter.com/znDICTl8KW

— SEN SA 1629 (@1629senSA) August 28, 2017

GWS Giants gun Josh Kelly is the next best option in the market at the $8 quote, while Crows on-baller Rory Sloane is at the $9 mark.

Offering enormous value lower down the market are Crows small forward Eddie Betts at $51 and Joe Daniher at enormous odds of $151. Both men possess genuine match-winning ability and will be decisive players in their respective teams’ finals fortunes.

Joe Daniher is the only person to have kicked a goal in all 22 H&A games in 2017
21 – Ben Brown & Charlie Dixon@EssendonFC #AFL

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) August 28, 2017

AFL Finals Frenzy betting at Sportsbet

Think lightening can strike twice in back-to-back years? Then put your money where your mouth is at Sportsbet.com.au this September.

Sportsbet clients that think the premiership winner will come from outside the top four in consecutive years can get a massive $4.75 on the bottom four of this year’s eight to be holding the cup aloft on AFL Grand Final day.

Sydney winning the premiership from a 0-6 start and 6th on the ladder will be pretty great

— Josh Earl (@MrJoshEarl) August 27, 2017

Given Sydney, Port Adelaide, Essendon and West Coast have collectively defeated every current member of the top four, this shapes as a solid option for those who want some variety in their flag betting.