The AFL has announced it has suspended Collingwood premiership defender Heath Shaw for eight matches under their anti-gambling code.
Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell was also fined $10,000, of which $5000 was suspended, for his part in the same offence.
Shaw bet on Maxwell kicking the first goal in the round-nine win over Adelaide.
Maxwell normally plays as a defender and he started forward in the match.
The league investigated after they became aware of a betting plunge on Maxwell kicking the first goal of the match.
Shaw was suspended for a total of 14 matches, but six of them are suspended.
He was also fined $20,000.
The suspension puts Shaw, one of Collingwood’s most important players, out of action until the start of the finals series.
In announcing the penalties, AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said Shaw had been open when asked about the offence.
Anderson said Shaw shared in a $20 bet.
Suspicions were raised when the odds of Maxwell kicking the first goal shortened dramatically to 25-1.
The AFL started their investigation this week.
Collingwood are due to hold a media conference at their headquarters from 4.45pm on Friday.
Horatio
Guest
JVGO You are guessing as always...
Rob McLean
Guest
Bloody drongo. Unifying factor for the Pies, or a crack in the prem defence?
Aware
Guest
"Hey Louie". "Yeh Mugsy?" "Me and da boys is gonna fix up anudder game tonight. Are you in bro?" "In wit all da boots on bro." "But Louie, what about da cops?" "Ha, no worries Mugsy, bro. We got dem fixed too." "Hey, Louie, hows about some of da udder boys gettin a cut o da action, bro?" "Are you nuts, Mugsy? We gotta take dis little bit at a time. No rush and all dat, bro. You dumb or sometin?" "Yeh, Louie, I kinda forgot about dat, bit, haw, haw, haw." "Hey Mugsy. Is da coast clear?" "Yeh bro." "Ok bro, lets getta outta here."
dave
Guest
dreamteam chaos!
JVGO
Guest
Must have been more than $20 for the odds to shorten radically though?
Jaceman
Guest
The NRL referred it to the Police because of the size of the bets $5K??
JVGO
Guest
NRL investigation is a criminal matter I understand. The AFL handle it themselves however? Is this a double standard or just a different jurisdiction? Where are the football Vic police baiters?
Jaceman
Guest
Shaw should have got the rest of the year. What an idiot - which reminds me hows that NRL investigation going??
Swampy
Guest
Will betting agencies now refund all bets placed on this weeks and the next eight weeks games Collingwood play in. The betting agencies and the AFL have had inside knowledge of the investigation since the Adelaide game. It should work both ways. Will this also effect Collingwood’s final position on the ladder. Should bets on ladder position, since the investigation, be refunded. The AFL has gone to bed with a dangerous business and the can of worms has opened. A really extreme penalty for a ten dollar bet considering they allow a betting company to pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into the St Kilda football club as a sponsor.