TAB Sportsbet’s Gary Davies said the betting company would have to fork out around $500,000 to punters should Geelong rookie James Podsiadly, a $17 chance to win this year’s Coleman Medal, head the goalkicking list at the end of the season.
The man known as ‘J-Pod’ has booted 29 goals from nine matches and, while trailing Tiger Riewoldt on 45, may provide agencies with some sleepless nights over the final weeks of the year.
“He’s our worst result in the Coleman,” Davies told afl.com.au.
“They found Pods at the 500-1 early in the season, but they didn’t find Jack.”
Podsiadly has booted five goals five times this season, including five in every match he has played at Skilled Stadium.
“He’s been pretty accurate, and we need to keep him away from Skilled Stadium,” Davies quipped.
“I’m heading down the highway to see [Cats chief executive] Brian Cook to see if they want to move a few games away from there.”
Amazingly, Riewoldt is into $3 to win the Coleman Medal, sharing favouritism with Western Bulldog Barry Hall.
Despite playing for the team on the bottom of the ladder, Riewoldt has booted bags of six, four, six and 10 goals in his past four outings to propel himself to the top of betting charts.
Davies said despite his form, there hadn’t been any large bets for Riewoldt to win the Coleman.
“No-one thought Richmond was going to do much. Even after round seven he was still 500-1,” Davies said.
“There’s been five times more money invested on Nick [Riewoldt] than Jack. He’s an okay result because no-one really thought he could win it.”
Meanwhile, Davies said Luke Hodge ($8) would likely need two more best-on-grounds to displace Gary Ablett ($3.75) as favourite for the Brownlow Medal.
Hodge is into second favourite, with many believing the former No.1 draft pick is on track to claim football’s highest individual honour.
“If the Ablett-Geelong liability wasn’t so great, Ablett would probably be a bit longer at the odds,” Davies said.
“As well as just the normal book, we’ve got to take into account the Brownlow and Geelong doubles. Last year it was just a wipeout for us.”
Davies said there had been a steady trickle of money for Hodge, although there hadn’t been any significant bets for the star Hawk.
Fremantle rookie Michael Barlow, who started the season a $1001 chance for the Brownlow, is into equal third favourite at $12.
Coleman Medal
Barry Hall $3
Jack Riewoldt $3
Brendan Fevola $3.50
Matthew Pavlich $7
Steve Johnson $13
James Podsiadly $17
Lance Franklin $34
Brownlow Medal
Gary Ablett $3.75
Luke Hodge $8
Michael Barlow $12
Brendon Goddard $12
Chris Judd $15
Dane Swan $15
James Bartel $17
Adam Cooney $17
Lenny Hayes $21
Aaron Sandilands $21
