Bookies facing huge payout if Swans win AFL premiership
IT’S the greatest comeback since Lazarus, and bookmakers are facing an almighty payout as the Sydney Swans charge towards an unlikely premiership.
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IT’S the greatest comeback since Lazarus, and bookmakers are facing an almighty payout as the Sydney Swans charge towards an unlikely premiership.
After losing their first six matches the Swans were written off — and with fair reason.
No V/AFL team has recovered from 0-4 or worse to play finals since North Melbourne in 1975, who went on to secure their maiden premiership that year.
But that didn’t deter a host of punters who got on at the long odds of $101 when they lost to Carlton at the MCG in round six.
CONTENDER: SWANS PROVE PREMIERSHIP CREDENTIALS AGAINST GWS
BRIDGE BATTLE: SWANS GO FROM 0-6 TO TOP FOUR
Since then they’ve won nine of their next 10 — no other team has won more than six during that time.
Their victory over GWS on Saturday night confirmed the Swans are the form team in the competition.
A Swans premiership would be a disaster for the TAB.
“We won’t be cheering for the red and white if they reach the grand final,” the TAB’s Trent Langskaill said.
“Sydney are easily the TAB’s worst result in 2017 premiership betting. The biggest bet on the Swans to win this year’s flag was a $9000 wager at $13 which was made on April 6 the day before they lost to Collingwood.”
It’s been rollercoaster ride for punters invested in the Swans.
They have gone full circle from the $6 price quoted after last year’s grand final loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Since breaking their drought against Brisbane in round seven and going on their run they have been wound back to $6 which has them equal third in premiership betting alongside Geelong and behind Adelaide ($3.50) and GWS ($4.50).
There have also been plenty of bets on Sydney finishing in the top eight with one punter investing $1000 at $6 in May. They are now into $1.10 to play finals football.
Swans young gun Isaac Heeney believes their horror start has helped keep their minds on the job knowing just how tight the competition is.
“It’s an equal playing field at the moment,” Heeney said.
“You look how close the ladder is and any little slip up you will lose. If we can hold our spot in the top eight it could be something extremely positive for our season knowing when we’re not performing anything can happen.”
Heeney was again one of the Swans best in his 50th game in red and white. It’s a remarkable achievement for the 21 year old who was struck down with glandular fever earlier in the year forcing him to miss the first four matches.
“I still have those occasional times when my fatigue levels are down,” Heeney said.
“When that happens I just go out and do half a session rather than a full one.”
When the illness was at it’s peak Heeney was bed ridden for two weeks forcing him to sleep up to 13 hours per day.
As well as he is playing the Novocastrian believes he will not achieve 100 per cent health this year.
“That is still to come,” Heeney said.
“I don’t believe I’m there (full health). I felt extremely strong and fit after and was ready for a big season so it was really frustrating to be struck down after working so hard. I don’t think I’m quite there (full health) and I don’t know whether I’ll get there this season.”
Originally published as Bookies facing huge payout if Swans win AFL premiership
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