‘I’ll get cocky and lose more now’: Millionaire businessman John Singleton’s 400,000 reasons to celebrate Panthers win
Larrikin businessman John Singleton has joked his $400,000 NRL Grand Final win will probably end with him “getting cocky and losing money”.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Larrikin businessman John Singleton has joked his $400,000 win on the Penrith Panthers will probably end up with him “getting cocky now and losing money”.
“Singo” put $100,000 on the Panthers to win the NRL Grand Final in March when the now four-time premiers were paying a handsome $4.
Six months later, he will now collect his biggest win on rugby league from bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan, who he insists even after paying up will remain “so far ahead” from all the ad-man’s years of punting.
“It’ll probably be a good win for him in the long run, because I’ll get cocky now and lose more money!” Singleton said, just minutes after watching the Panthers win from his Central Coast home.
Like the millions watching on across Australia, the longtime rugby league fanatic marvelled at the clash between the two best teams in the competition.
“What a game. They are just the two best teams and they played that way,” Singleton said.
“You could’ve had that game as the Grand Final in January or February.”
Despite his $820 million net wealth, Singleton admitted pregame that the $100,000 bet would make him a nervous viewer.
When asked how he felt after the Storm scored first and if there was a moment he felt confident of a Panthers victory throughout the match, he laughed, saying: “It was an easy win”.
“The stats say if Melbourne has the lead at halftime, they win, if they’re behind, they lose.
“They’re the stats … I just thought, I hope the stats don’t change!”
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘I’ll get cocky and lose more now’: Millionaire businessman John Singleton’s 400,000 reasons to celebrate Panthers win
Aussie quartet make sailing history in women’s America’s Cup
For the first time in 174 years Australian women have set sail in an America’s Cup. How the quartet on Andoo Australia are faring as the Pool B Racing begins.
Nailed it! Aussie women creating history at America’s Cup
Australian sailors in the first women’s America’s Cup are tapping into some famous inspiration for their history-making appearance in the famous regatta.
‘Cleary for Mayor’: Fans freak out over Penrith’s grand final fourpeat
See the best photos of fans outside Accor Stadium and in Penrith, ahead of the NRL grand final, where the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm will go head-to-head.
‘It’s a special thing’: Australia’s rare rugby result in New Zealand
Rugby’s U18s rising stars have done something few other Aussie teams have managed in recent times - completing a shock and awe mission across the ditch for two wins. Stars, result wrap
Man arrested over Nazi sign at Pro-Palestinian protest
A man has been arrested after a Nazi symbol was spotted on an Israeli flag among the Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters who took to Hyde Park. And it appears some have tried to find a work around to the Hezbollah flag bans. Follow updates here.
Splash not crash! Aussies vital intel for women’s America’s Cup debut
Watching and listening to teammates race in the youth America’s Cup has provided crucial intel for Australia’s first women’s team - including how not to make too much of a splash.