Dusty the new Brownlow favourite after Danger finds MRP drama

THE potential suspension cloud hanging over Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has seen a shift at the head of affairs in Brownlow Medal betting.

The reigning Brownlow Medalist has been offered a one match suspension by the Match Review Panel for his tackle on Carlton’s Matthew Kruezer.

#BREAKING: Patrick Dangerfield can accept a one game ban for a dangerous tackle, which would make him ineligible for the Brownlow Medal.

— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) July 31, 2017

The prolific Cat – who had drifted to +166 at Sportsbet.com.au, has subsequently been removed from the market following the MRP findings.

Dangerfield told Channel 7’s Game Day on Sunday morning that he did not feel he would be suspended for the tackle.

“I actually thought he still had the ball, so that’s why I put my hands in the air,” Dangerfield said.

Matthew Kreuzer left the field after this Patrick Dangerfield tackle. #AFLCatsBlues pic.twitter.com/vhqAGto2xy

— AFL (@AFL) July 29, 2017

“I haven’t been cited for anything, I felt it was a fair tackle. There was no umpire’s call at the time, I don’t see an issue with it, but it’s not up to me.”

Richmond on-baller Dustin Martin, who had firmed into favourtism at CrownBet.com.au (-175.44) has been crunched in again into the -500 mark.

Imagine if Dusty had one more minor indiscretion though…incredible to think Tom Mitchell would be a real chance

— Dale Miller (@miller_dj) July 31, 2017

Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell is the second elect and the only other man under single figures at the +500 quote via Crownbet, while Essendon’s Zac Merrett (+1700) is third best option at WilliamHill.com.au.

Geelong has not announced if they will challenge the charge, but the dialogue coming out of the club in the wake of Saturday night’s heavy win against Carlton suggested they will.

Cats’ coach Chris Scott said he did not believe Dangerfield’s tackle warranted a ban.

“(It) wasn’t a sling, that’s for sure,” Scott said.

“(I) don’t think he deliberately drove him into the ground, so on that basis, and based on what we’ve seen the last couple of years, I would expect that would be fine.

“Now when a player’s hurt and goes off the ground, there’s an extra dimension there that attracts scrutiny, but I think the powers that be have been very clear that the severity of any injury only comes into play once you’ve acknowledged that there’s been a breach of the rules, and I just don’t see that when I watch it.

“But, I’ve got my Geelong scarf on, don’t I?”

Geelong has until tomorrow afternoon to decide whether they will take the matter to the AFL tribunal.

Daniher the new Coleman favourite after dominant display

Essendon superstar forward Joe Dainher is the new Coleman Medal favourite (+150) at Sportsbet.com.au after booting a game-high six goals against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Daniher leading Coleman Medal
Last @EssendonFC player to do that any time after Round 5 of a season was Matthew Lloyd (R19 2004)

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) July 31, 2017

The sparkling display from the father-son prodigy moved him two goals clear of former Coleman Medalist Lance Franklin (+200), while the next best elect Josh Kennedy (+250) via Sportsbet.com.au is a further two goals adrift.

The medal seems Daniher’s to lose though, given Essendon play three bottom 10 sides in the final month of football.

Essendon coach John Worsfold said the star forward’s standing on the goal kicking leaderboard is reflective of all the hard work he has been putting in on the training track.

“I thought he really developed last year. He kicked 43 goals in a team that was really battling and made the most of his opportunities,” Worsfold said.

“He showed he had improved a fair bit last year and I still felt he had room for improvement.

“He’s working his backside off to become the best player he can be.

“As with all the champs, the hard work doesn’t stop and Joey knows that.”