Giants top again as Dees & Swans firm in AFL flag betting

June 26, 2017 5:16 pm.by Michael Maguire

AFL Market Movers 2017
GREATER Western Sydney were the big winners in what some have dubbed the best round of footy in the AFL’s 27-year history.

With Adelaide going down to Hawthorn on Thursday night, the Giants reclaimed top spot on the ladder with a 10-goal win over the Brisbane Lions.

Although they are only four points ahead of the Crows, Leon Cameron’s men have shortened to -113.64 for the minor premiership at online bookmaker CrownBet.com.au.

They are also into +250 to go all the way and claim a maiden flag.

Adelaide, who bolted into outright favouritism after a blistering start to the season, have settled back at +350 to win the grand final.

Geelong needed a stirring comeback to edge out Fremantle on Sunday and ensure at least another week in the top four, yet they hold the third line of betting at +600.

Rounding out the single-figure chances are Port Adelaide (+800), who lead an interesting group of challengers on eight wins for the season.

Four victories on the bounce have seen Melbourne make big strides in the premiership betting.

The Demons have more than halved their preseason quote, moving into +1000 after their drought-breaking win over West Coast.

Also riding high are the Sydney Swans, who enjoyed a taste of the top eight for the first time in 2017 before subsequent results in round 14 pushed them out again.

Their incredible after-the-siren win over Essendon on Friday has not only put them firmly in the finals frame, but also very much in flag contention at +1200.

The Bloods are paying -105.26 at CrownBet to beat the Dees (-114.94) next week in what promises to be another gripping instalment of Friday night footy.

The Western Bulldogs were less than convincing again in their one-point win over North Melbourne, which is why the defending premiers are back out to +1400.

There is little support for +2500 Richmond even though the Tigers sit sixth on the ladder, while the Bombers (+3300) are still struggling to gain ground on their rivals.

Perhaps the most interesting of the outsiders are the Hawks, who are offering +1400 to sneak into finals and +12500 to snatch an unlikely flag.

Looking now at the individual honours, the 2017 Brownlow betting market remains very much a two-horse race.

It seems unlikely that anyone will outpoll Patrick Dangerfield (+190) or Dustin Martin (+250) from here, with early-season fancy Rory Sloane the closest contender on +1200 at CrownBet.

However, a couple of young guns have climbed steadily and could threaten to break into single digits if they maintain their impressive form in the business end of the home and away season.

Zach Merrett polled well despite Essendon’s bottom-placed finish in 2016, so it would be no surprise if he shortened a little further from his current +1300 quote.

Also on the fringe of genuine contention is Josh Kelly (+1400), who has emerged as the standout player in a talent-packed GWS midfield this season.

Lance Franklin endured a rare goalless game against the Dons, yet the Sydney star shares the second line of Coleman Medal betting with West Coast’s Josh Kennedy at +275.

Top of a very competitive pile is Jeremy Cameron on +225, while Joe Daniher – who managed only one goal against the Swans – rounds out the big chances at +600.