By Jon Pierik
Western Bulldogs premiership captain Easton Wood has taken a stand against gambling in sport, implying there is hypocrisy within the AFL industry when it comes to betting.
Declaring "gambling advertising is out of control and I think it needs to change ", Wood says he cannot understand why AFL players are warned about the dangers of gambling yet television broadcasts of men's and women's games are filled with advertising from betting agencies.
Gambling, whether that be sports betting or the reliance many clubs have on pokies, continues to be a point of debate between the league, clubs, fans and betting agencies.
Wood's comments on social media came on a night the Western Bulldogs' AFLW side lost to the Adelaide Crows at the Whitten Oval, a match broadcast on pay television's Fox Footy.
Bulldog Easton Wood.Credit: Paul Jeffers
"We had the annual AFL education session today which while being informative and well run, there was one topic which I just couldn't stomach. Gambling," Wood posted on Twitter.
"Every year we are told it is a sinister and dangerous activity because of the associated risks that come with gambling, all of which have proven very real.
"What I can't understand is that if this is such an issue that we need an annual education session, why - as an industry - do we support the onslaught of gambling advertising you are now faced with when watching an AFL game.
"The obvious issue here is the effect this advertising has on children every time they watch us pull on our boots.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said this week that betting advertising at AFL venues had struck "the right balance".Credit: Getty Images
"The big question is, do we think the normalisation of gambling - particularly to kids - is acceptable in this day and age?"
Several player agents maintain gambling continues to be the scourge of many of their clients, who often have time off during the day and are increasingly well paid.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan's said this week that betting advertising at AFL venues had struck "the right balance".
However, Fairfax Media reported on Friday that AFL commissioner Kim Williams had expressed concern at the level and nature of gambling advertising during match broadcasts. He is understood to be putting a paper together about his concerns.
The AFL receives a percentage of football gambling revenue from punters and in 2015 struck a five-year $50 million deal with CrownBet.
Under an industry code of conduct, gambling promotion is banned "siren to siren" but is allowed to be screened before and after matches and during quarter and half-time breaks.
The AFL last year maintained it had no role in the operation of the broadcasting code but it was the league's understanding that broadcasts adhered to the limits on advertising.
It was reported last year's AFL grand final broadcast had 21 betting commercials. It was estimated each commercial cost $130,000 a 30-second spot, adding up to more than $2 million for free-to-air broadcaster, Channel Seven.
Several Melbourne-based AFL clubs have signed the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation's responsible gambling charter, which includes a ban on a partnership with any sports betting agency or gambling promotion. But most clubs continue to have poker machines.