PUNTERS are flocking to back Greater Western Sydney to beat Melbourne this Saturday, with the winless Giants a strong chance to enter the game as favourites.
The Giants have already shortened from $2 into $1.95, while the Demons have drifted from $1.80 to $1.85 with defender James Frawley ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The Demons' diabolical 122-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday and the Giants' encouraging performance against Collingwood has led to the AFL's newest club posting the shortest odds in its history so far.
With an almost 10-to-one ratio in favour of the Giants representing the money coming in, TAB Sportsbet spokesman Adam Hamilton said there wasn't much interest in the Demons winning at Skoda Stadium.
"All of the money so far has been for GWS - we're thinking they'll start favourites," Hamilton told AFL.com.au.
"GWS is the shortest odds they've ever been so far, with $2.55 when they beat Gold Coast last season (the previous shortest odds).
"Punters are just backing them and we've hardly taken a dollar on Melbourne as yet."
Hamilton said TAB Sportsbet was expecting Saturday's game to be a "big betting match".
Meanwhile, Paul Roos is still listed as favourite for the vacant Melbourne coaching position from Rodney Eade, Mark Williams and Neil Craig.
However, Craig is still attracting the most money despite the Demons' woeful weekend.
St Kilda assistant and former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley is another that has attracted interest, which has led to the shortening of the not listed category from $17 into $9.
"Despite Melbourne being obliterated on Saturday, the majority of the money is still for Neil Craig to get the job next year," Hamilton said.
"Craig has been the best backed. He was the best backed even after the match.
"We've had people asking why we don't have Dean Laidley listed as an option for Melbourne and as a result of that, we've shortened the coaches not listed, or people not listed, into $9."
TAB Sportsbet has opened an early market for the round 22 clash between Geelong and the Sydney Swans at Simonds Stadium on August 24.
The match could determine ladder positions in the top four, with the Cats sitting second on 56 points and the Swans third on 54.
"It's basically just a head-to-head market because of the significance of that match," Hamilton said.
"We've got Geelong at $1.55 and the Swans at $2.40.
"We thought we'd open early because it's probably the single most important remaining match of the big sides.
"Hawthorn do play the Swans in round 23 but it could be irrelevant for one of the sides."
The Swans were the last team to beat the Cats at their home ground – in round 23, 2011.
The Cats have won 11 straight at the venue since.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
