Footy fan loses bet due to umpiring howler

The footy punter who lost a $12,500 bet after an epic umpiring blunder on the weekend is laughing all the way to the bank, with Sportsbet agreeing to honour the ‘miracle multi’. And he already has a plan for how to spend his winnings.

David Zaharakis’ shot for goal was clearly over the line.

A punter short changed by an AFL umpiring blunder is finally laughing all the way to the bank.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed the hard luck story of footy fan Corey McKerrow who nailed a five leg multi for more than $12,000, only for a goal umpire to ruin the last leg.

But betting agency Sportsbet this morning made his day — honouring the bet despite the goal umpire’s decision making it officially void.

“I’m super stoked,’’ he said.

“Even the guy from Sportsbet said he thought it was a goal.’’

Mr McKerrow said the unexpected pay out “piped up my August day’’.

“I’ve been off work with a back injury so it couldn’t have come at a better time,’’ he said.

But he admitted at least some of his winnings was likely to be wagered once more.

“Probably a fair chunk of the $12,000 will go back to Sportsbet,’’ he said.

Zaharakis’ shot for goal was clearly over and the goal umpire was in perfect position, but did not make a decision.

The formerly unlucky punter was crying poor yesterday after the umpiring blunder spoiled what should have been a miracle AFL bet.

Footy fan Corey McKerrow stood to earn $12,505 for a $5 outlay when he punted on Essendon’s 10 point win against Gold Coast Suns at the weekend.

When four of the five legs of the Sportsbet punt came good, the Hawthorn fan grew nervously excited.

And when Essendon’s David Zaharakis kicked truly in the third term, he should have been celebrating an unlikely windfall.

But an umpiring blunder that saw play-on called — despite the ball clearly sailing over the goal line before being tapped back into play — cost him dearly.

The AFL this week admitted the goal should have been awarded, giving the Bombers more breathing space in an intensely close game and Mr McKerrow a sizeable earner.

But the betting agency has refused to honour a bet he dubbed the “miracle multi blind Freddy would have paid”.

“I was pretty disappointed and to be honest it really should be paid,’’ he said.

“The AFL has admitted the mistake and Sportsbet only pay out under official AFL rules.

“So where does that leave me? Bloody spewing, that’s where mate.’’

Mr McKerrow’s ill-fated multi.

Mr McKerrow correctly tipped Suns Rising Star nominee Ben King to boot three goals or more and Bomber Shaun McKernan to kick the same tally.

He also correctly backed Essendon’s Andy McGrath and Gold Coast’s Davis Swallow to kick a goal.

But it was Zaharakis’ unrewarded goal that has left a bad taste in his mouth and a hole in his pocket.

“I had a pretty huge bet on the line and the AFL has admitted fault but no one wants to help me out,’’ he said.

“It was the miracle bet that should have happened but didn’t.’’

The decision not to pay the Zaharakis goal was one of the worst of the AFL season.

Fox Footy cameras showed AFL boss Gillon McLachlan with an awkward look on his face as the umpiring howler was replayed on the big screen during the match.

Zaharakis said the Bombers — who rallied late to win the game — deserved an apology.

Mr McKerrow said he deserved to be paid.

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“We were having beers down the pub and about 100 people got wind of the bet and there were some unhappy people when that goal wasn’t paid,’’ he said.

“I can’t get a word out of the AFL and Sportsbet have just wiped me.’’

Rather than collecting more than $12,000, he said he had been offered a $5 bonus bet.

“It should have been paid,’’ he said.

“All year there has been controversy with the goal umpiring.’’

The Herald Sun has contacted Sportsbet and the AFL for comment.

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