Casey Scorpion Brett Voss battles for possession under pressure from Williamstown’s Tyson Goldsack at Casey Fields on Sunday. The pressure could now be on the bookies after surprisingly generous odds were offered on the Scorpions’ 2007 flag chances. By Marc McGowan
SPORTSBET is offering a premiership betting market on the Victorian Football League (VFL) for the first time among a nationwide extension on local football competitions – and the Casey Scorpions appear to be fighting against the odds.
Other Victorian football competitions now available to punters include Goulburn Valley and the Ovens and Murray.
Sportsbet chief executive Matthew Tripp has not been in consultation with the VFL, but is happy for the league to contact him if it has any queries.
“We are not allowed to advertise in any of those states due to political restrictions, so by betting on these football leagues it is a good way to get some attention,” he said.
“It will target an audience that wouldn’t normally look at our website or be able to find us.”
Casey Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman was unaware of the new scheme and was shocked further when he found out his side was on the bottom line of betting at $67 to win this year’s VFL premiership.
“That’s amazing,” he said.
“It adds further interest to VFL football and I am pleased to see that Sportsbet thinks that much about our competition.
“I’d suggest that plenty of our members would think it’s worth throwing $10 at those odds.”
The Scorpions’ questionable position as the big outsider is clearly derived from the fact the club has saluted just 14 times in the three previous years, including two as the Springvale Scorpions, which is the lowest of any VFL team.
However, Casey’s solid start to 2007 has made a mockery of the generous odds, particularly as Box Hill is rated a better chance despite being belted by the Scorpions in round two.
“Certainly we wouldn’t be thinking of winning a flag, but if there was a market for finals on those odds telling us that we’re last I have no doubt we’ll give the finals a good shake,” Woodman said.
He did recognise the negatives that surround gambling, but believes the positives outweigh them.
“There are always people involved that handle it irresponsibly, but these people are in the minority,” Woodman said.
“You just have to make sure you manage that, but that is not our responsibility – we’re about playing footy.”
Now that Woodman is aware of the market he hopes Casey can have an impact this weekend when it takes on ladder leader Sandringham.
“Having underdog status always provides something for the players.
“We’re against the reigning premiers on Sunday and they were what? $2.70? It would be a huge win for us and it would shake up the market,” Woodman joked.
