Bookmakers suspend betting on Swans clash amid player uncertainty
Australian betting sites have suspended markets for Sunday’s AFL clash between Sydney and North Melbourne as uncertainty over the availability of several Swans players leaves bookmakers unable to accurately price the match.
Odds for the Round 24 fixture were removed on Monday after multiple Sydney players became caught up in an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged incident at the team’s Melbourne hotel following Sunday’s win over Essendon. No arrests have been made and no players have been formally interviewed, with police saying the investigation remains ongoing.
The markets are expected to remain suspended until Sydney confirms whether any players will be stood down or otherwise unavailable for the match.
The unusual move reflects the uncertainty surrounding several of Sydney’s biggest stars, with Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice among the players reported to have spoken with police as part of the investigation. It is not alleged the players have committed any wrongdoing, and Victoria Police have stressed the exact circumstances are yet to be established.
Sydney coach Dean Cox said on Tuesday the club was still working through the matter with the AFL and relevant authorities and stopped short of confirming whether any players would face sanctions.
“We’re working our way through everything with the AFL and relevant parties, and we’ll update when we get more information,” Cox said.
He added the club would continue speaking with players “as the day unfolds”.
Reports suggest the players involved are unlikely to feature against North Melbourne regardless of the outcome of the police investigation, with the Swans considering internal sanctions over late-night drinking at the AFL-funded team hotel following Sunday’s match.
The timing has created a headache for bookmakers, who are reluctant to frame head-to-head, line and player markets while Sydney’s likely line-up remains unclear just days out from the match.
Sydney has already secured second spot on the AFL ladder after defeating Essendon, guaranteeing two home finals, meaning Sunday’s clash has little impact on the Swans’ finals position, while North Melbourne is out of finals contention.
The Swans are still included in outright betting for the premiership although they have eased out to $12 since the news broke surrounding the alleged incident.
Australian betting sites are expected to reinstate betting once the Swans clarify the immediate futures of the players involved.
