Dogs’ convincing win earns back trust from premiership punters

THE Western Bulldogs are back under double figures for the 2017 premiership after their comprehensive 40-point win over St Kilda on Saturday.

The Dogs – who had drifted as far as $15 in flag betting – firmed onto the third line of premiership betting ($7 at Sportsbet.com.au) after the strong win.

The dip in form lead many to question whether the Dogs were experiencing the dreaded “premiership hangover”, but forward Tory Dickson does not believe that is the case.

“I don’t know about the premiership hangover,” Dickson said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

Much was made of coach Luke Beveridge’s decision to drop premiership players Travis Cloke and Tom Liberatore in consecutive weeks, but Dickson believes that is a result of a strong playing group which is consistently demanding the best from each other.

“We’ve got a really deep list. The 22 that played in the grand final (last year), there’s probably another six or seven or eight that could have played in that grand final, just through injuries and form.

“So if you’re not in form and you’re not playing your role for the team, then you get pushed out by someone that is.”

The win also saw the return to form of superstar forward Jake Stringer.

Stringer booted five goals in a dominant performance that swung the game in his team’s favour, and subsequently moved into $51 for the Coleman Medal at Sportsbet.com.au.

Jake Stringer has taken more marks inside 50 than St Kilda. None of them have been contested. #AFLDogsSaints

— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) May 27, 2017

Stringer’s star teammate Marcus Bontempelli continued his climb in the Brownlow Medal betting market too after another brilliant display.

@SENBreakfast The Bont, get on for the Brownlow

— leigh davis ?⚪️?? (@leighroy45) May 18, 2017

The man they call “The Bont” gathered 22 disposals, booted one goal and was one of his side’s best, forcing Sportbet.com.au to move the young-gun onto the fourth line of Brownlow betting at the $16 quote.

While it was all rosy for the Dogs following the win, St Kilda took a bashing in the market.

The Saints drifted out to $41 in premiership betting and $4 just to make the finals this year after looking firmly entrenched in the eight less than a month ago.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson admitted his team are not playing like a finals-bound team in the aftermath of the loss.

“It shows that we’re not at the level of the better teams,” he said.

“Right now, if you were just to look at us in the last two weeks, then we are nowhere near where we need to be. Going into today’s game we’d won three out of four, with GWS in that block with the Hawks and Carlton.

“The competition is so even and you have to play really good footy, maximise your opportunities and defend strongly. You have to be really physical and at your best.

“We’re not where we want to be. We’re right in amongst a group of a lot of teams that will challenge and have aspirations to play finals. That’s where we are.”

The Saints have the bye this weekend before facing a crunch match against the high-flying Crows in Adelaide where they are the $5.10 outsiders at Crownbet.com.au.