Bookies react to ‘Danny Gate’ before media
Roar Guru
By ScottWoodward.me, 21 Dec 2009 ScottWoodward.me is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- bookmakers, Danny Gate, Danny Wicks, drugs in sport, Newcastle Knights, NRL, Rugby League
Bookmakers reacted quickly on Saturday afternoon to suspend betting on the NRL based on ‘mail’ that the Newcastle Knights could have further trouble associated with teammate Danny Wicks’s alleged drugs scandal.
It seems that the bookies have been more reactive than the media, especially the Newcastle Herald, who did not report any further incident in ‘Danny Gate’.
The Sydney Sunday Herald was the exception which reported that “a number of Newcastle Knights first-graders have allegedly been caught on police phone taps or surveillance seeking to purchase, or buying drugs.”
How is it that the “bush telegraph” can deliver this front page story to the bookmakers on Saturday and only a single newspaper runs with it the next day?
One thing is certain, if these allegations are accurate the Knights will struggle to field a competitive team next year and will firm into favouritism to win the Wooden Spoon.
The only bookmakers betting on the Spoon were Sportsbet and IasBet who had the Knights at 9.00, but suspended betting around 2pm Saturday.
The Knights standing in the 2010 NRL will depend on the qualifications of the allegations, and if proven correct, what action the NRL head office take.
The NRL have the power to deduct premiership points which obviously will be crucial before any betting markets can be published again
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macavity said | December 21st 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
It would be massively unfair if points were docked. this isn’t the club bringing the game into disrepute; this is a player – who will be sacked at first opportunity.
Bush telegraph up this way is that our core of first graders aren’t worried, but that isn’t to say no one associated with the club (and other clubs, for that matter) will have problems to come from this.
Personal opinion is that an amnesty with strict punishments (fines, counselling) and ongoing conditions (hair testing, final warning) should be offered to players to come forward and admit involvement – and anyone fingered after the amnesty ends should be sacked on the spot.
This will drag on too long and derail our season – we need to deal with it swiftly and realistically.
What is most disappointing is fans of other clubs and codes dancing on our grave. You are kidding yourself if you think these things don’t happen in all clubs and codes – granted, maybe not a drug kingpin (that is probably a first in world sport, for active players anyway…), but certainly use and low level distribution, not to mention other unsavoury things.
Oh, and if those SMH quotes came from the cops, they have acted disgracefully. Unfortunately, not unexpected.
Corey said | December 21st 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
This is sad for the knights, with their new stadium fittings being completed I was looking forward to watch the knights put in an effort in front of a sold out Energy Australia Stadium. Those knights fans must be disappointed, especially due to their ability to make the finals last year with no one “great” in their side (albeit Jarrod Mullen was on the verge of pure excellence in the latter part of the season).
ScottWoodward.me said | December 21st 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
The good thing for the Knights is that it has happened now and not during the season.They can recover providing no key players are involved.
That is the biggest problem at the moment as their is that big cloud over everyone which has to blow away and clear the innocent people.
Chook said | December 21st 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
what a cocain user / dealer from Newcastle?
Never!!!
ScottWoodward.me said | December 21st 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
Chook can you complete a proper sentence, as i dont understand what you are trying to say.
What I said was that there are a lot of innocent people who have a cloud over them because they are there, and authorities need to name names so the innocent people can be cleared and rid any innuendo.
Chook said | December 21st 2009 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Wasnt Andrew Johns a bit of a self declared user?
When I say ‘bit’ I mean 80% of his career.
It has nothing to do with the good people of Newcastle or even the the Newcastle Knights administration.
Im fairly sure that they had no idea that these players where dealing or using. Which NRL club would protect a superstar / game breaker/ golden boy of league. Im sure if they knew that a club offical would have gone to the authorities. The shite powder could have been any thing….
AndyRoo said | December 21st 2009 @ 4:48pm | Report comment
The reason the bookies can react is they don’t need proof just an inkling.
I guess it didn’t stop the telegraph with their story on the broncos but before suggesting any other Newcastle players are using drugs a reporter would want more information than just “Bob reckons the Cop said blah blah blah”
Bookies on the other hand are inclined to suspend betting at the drop of a hat because that doesn’t attract a defamation suit and they need to act before information goes public lest they get burnt.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 21st 2009 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
Andy the bookies had more than “just an inkling”. They would have had the same calls as i did.
The Knights would like it all out and into the open but the Police are in no rush and may not provide the alleged phone taps until the court case.
King of the Gorganites said | December 21st 2009 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
was any one shocked by the fact that a newcastle player is an alleged drug dealer? after andrew johns and matthew johns it hardly surprises that a newcastle Knight is an ‘alleged’ drug dealer. i think it is indicative of the entire culture at the knights.
Mick from Giralang said | December 22nd 2009 @ 4:15am | Report comment
What has Matthew Johns got to do with allege drug dealing?
King of the Gorganites said | December 22nd 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
i never set that the entire league had this problem but it is clear that the knights do. i dont want to get caught up in libel but im sure we have all heard the rumours of the Johns brothers.
macavity said | December 22nd 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
At least there are no B&Es or domestic violence, which on your logic is indicative of the entire culture in rugby.
Mick from Giralang said | December 22nd 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Don’t forget Justin Harrison etc
ScottWoodward.me said | December 21st 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
King harsh call.
The 2 leaders at the Knights are Gidley and Mullen and they are wonderful role models are any club.
King of the Gorganites said | December 22nd 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
granted. but the johns brothers were far from role models
captain nemo said | December 21st 2009 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
I find it hard to believe that Wicks police allegations were not common knowledge amongst his team mates over the last year or so. not saying everyone was “lining” up, but I am sure it would of been common knowledge amongst the boys.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 22nd 2009 @ 12:14am | Report comment
There is a big difference between sniffing and dealing.
The guys are tested all the time so anyone even thinking about a white lady would be a lunatic.
Bazza said | December 22nd 2009 @ 10:57am | Report comment
What I dont understand is the Andrew Johns admitted to drug abuse ( last time I checked it was illegal and having possession of the substance) he still works for Channel 9. Whilst Matt did nothing illegal ( very grubby and pretty weird ) and got sakced.
Mind you Mark Geyer also got done for drugs many years ago and still works for 9.
Looking back on some Paul Harrington and Matt John knew about Andrews drug use, so I dare say that quite a few player in the Newcastle team knew about Wicks. I think it is fine to cover for a team mate its has to happen all the time but lets stop pretending that these guys are role models for kids and league. The bookies know alot about what happens in the locker room as having the inside word get them a leg up.