GWS take giant strides in AFL finals and flag betting
GREATER Western Sydney’s big win over Hawthorn has seen the Giants rocket into premiership betting reckoning at Crownbet.com.au, coming in to $11 to win the 2016 flag.
The Giants kicked 24 goals against the reigning premiers to run out 75-point winners, moving the league’s newest franchise firmly into the premiership conversation in the process.
In a stunning reversal of fortunes after their humiliating first round loss to the Demons – which saw Crownbet.com.au move the Giants out to $3.20 just to make the eight – Leon Cameron’s men are now into $4.50 to make the 2016 Grand Final.
The Giants coach believes it took a complete team effort to topple the three time premiership winning Hawks.
“You never think you’re going to win by 10-12 goals but you take it when it comes around,” Leon Cameron said during his post match press conference.
“No doubt Hawthorn struggled throughout the game, that’s not them, but to our guys’ credit their pressure was good and they probably set the standard in that first half.
“I thought all 22 that represented the club should be very proud of their efforts.”
The Giants have no shortage of admirers in 2016, including former premiership Swan, Tadhg Kennelly.
The retired dashing defender believes the Giants’ dominant win over the Hawks was a sign that they are ready to make their mark in September.
“I saw the game on the weekend – they bullied Hawthorn, ” Kennelly said.
“Contested footy is something they’re really getting a dominance [in] in the competition over teams now.”
“They’ll make the eight, and they’re there to cause some trouble and cause some damage to teams, like they’ve done to Hawthorn.”
Suns, Ablett blow out badly in betting after 120-point thrashing
Gold Coast’s 120-point drubbing by the Cats in Geelong has prompted WilliamHill.com.au to move the Suns out to $11 just to make the final eight in season 2016.
The Suns had suffered difficult losses against the Kangaroos and the Lions, but the huge loss to the Cats has seen the Queenslanders move out to double figure odds to make the finals for the first time this year.
Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch has been one player that has maintained his high level of output throughout the rough patch for his team.
Lynch – who leads the league in goals this season after booting 24 from six rounds; placing him on the second line of betting at WilliamHill.com.au ($3.75) – believes his teammates did not hold up their end of the bargain on Saturday night.
“We didn’t have enough blokes turn up to play. We only had two or three that could say they had a real crack,” Lynch said.
“We thought we had 22 to go out and win the game and play good hard competitive footy…22 didn’t turn up and it doesn’t matter who you have out there if you don’t turn up and play.
“We have to turn the year around and get back on the horse”
Captain Gary Ablett has also taken a big hit in the Brownlow betting market.
Ablett firmed into second favourite at Sportsbet.com.au ($6.00) to win his third Brownlow after a strong opening round against Essendon, but five subsequent average weeks has seen the little master blow out to $21.00 to win the coveted medal.
The Suns coach said a number of accumulated smaller injuries – rather than another issue with his surgically repaired shoulder – has been hampering Ablett’s campaign to date.
“He’s had a couple of little knocks each week, on the sternum a couple of weeks ago, then his back.” Rodney Eade said.
“His shoulder is fine if people are worried, you’ll notice on the weekend he didn’t even strap his shoulder, so his shoulder is 100 per cent,’’
Sportsbet open market on when Fremantle will register their first win
Fremantle’s winless start to the season has given the ever enterprising folks over at Sportsbet.com.au the opportunity to open a first win market on the struggling Dockers.
The Dockers are off to their worst start since Ross Lyon took over from Mark Harvey as coach in 2016, leaving West Australians as the only team without a victory to their name in 2016.
The win is also the first time in AFL history that the previous year’s minor premiers have failed to win in the opening six rounds of the season.
The 2013 Grand Finalists will go into their next two matches as outsiders against the Giants and the Hawks, and Sportsbet believe the Dockers’ best chance to register their first win of the season will come in round 9 against the Tigers.
Fremantle’s first win market:
GWS $3.80
Hawthorn $11.00
Richmond $2.75
Essendon $6.00
Brisbane $34.00
Port Adelaide $51.00
Round 14 or later $26.00
Winless $34.00
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