Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Western Bulldogs in the lead-up to the 2015 AFL season.
Their captain Ryan Griffen walked out after his relationship broke down with Brendan McCartney, who exited himself shortly after.
Adam Cooney was traded, and yet more on-field experience in Shaun Higgins opted for a fresh start at North Melbourne.
Then after Christmas there was a mutual decision between president Peter Gordon and CEO Simon Garlick for Garlick to also finish up at the Bulldogs.
It appeared that life was then starting to settle at the Kennel under new coach Luke Beveridge, but in the first NAB challenge match inside the first ten minutes, the Dogs’ number one midfielder, Tom Liberatore, went down with a knee injury, putting him out for the season.
Then during the week, just as preparations for Round 1 appeared to be truly getting underway for the Bulldogs, the story broke that a senior player and an unnamed VFL player were being investigated as part of a betting scandal.
The bet relates to last weekend’s match between the Bulldogs and Demons in Ballarat, a game which Lachie Hunter did not play.
The bet was reportedly laid at half-time of the match, using Hunter’s betting account. It is believed the bet also included a wager on some football matches.
Hunter is claiming he didn’t lay the bet and as soon as he was told about it, he informed Bulldogs officials. It is now in the hands of AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier.
Hunter said he was taken by surprise that the bet was laid by someone who had access to his account and the allegations are that it was the unnamed Footscray VFL player.
Why though would Hunter give his VFL teammate access to the account?
He may not have known that a bet was going to be laid on the Bulldogs game, but with the greatest respect my wife doesn’t even know my pin number for my bank cards, and vice versa.
All AFL players should have a strong knowledge of the rules associated with betting on games, so there is really no excuse for a player to be associated with the act.
The AFL has tactics in place to prevent officials and players from placing bets on games. However, with online betting on a steep rise the challenge will clearly become far greater in the coming years.
This might be seen as going over the top, but I believe while you are an active sports person at an elite level, no matter the sport, betting has to be banned.
This incident rounds off a dirty time for Hunter, who had already incurred a three-match club suspension stemming from arriving late to a recovery session after the Bulldogs’ win over Richmond in their first NAB Challenge match last month.
As part of his three-match penalty, Hunter will already miss Round 1 against the Eagles on Easter Sunday, but there’s a good chance that that might only be the tip of the iceberg.
Hunter keeps pleading his innocence that he didn’t lay the bet, but if he gave his mate access to his account, that’s stupidity and for that the suspension should be increased.
Paul
Guest
"Hunter cleared of breach The AFL Integrity Unit’s investigation found that player Hunter had not breached AFL rules, and further, that when Hunter was aware his account had been used by another person – a member of the Western Bulldogs’ VFL team - to place a bet on an AFL match, he alerted the club immediately, and cooperated fully with the investigation. There is no penalty or sanction for player Hunter". Clearly there was no benefit to be gained seeing as he reported the bet as soon as he became aware of it. At the time he did so the Dogs were traillng Melbourne by a considerable margin, so the bet was very much alive. Might be nice for people to wait until the facts are all in before shooting straight from the hip.
Bolverk
Guest
There is no logical reason for AFL players being prohibited from gambling on unrelated sports. Additionally, Hunter's story is very plausible. He did report the transaction immediately, so there was no benefit to making the wager at all. My best friend and I will often place bets for each other, and I know how to access the accounts of many friends and family. Rather than punishment, Hunter should be commended for his honesty.
Paul
Guest
Why should they be treated differently to the rest of the community. You can't stop them from gambling on other sports that they have no influence on. And Dan you say "and for that THE suspension should be increased", shouldn't this be ANY suspension. Innocent until proven guilty.
Tanami Singh
Guest
The old I share my betting account with a friend chestnut.
mdso
Guest
Firstly, the AFL need to lay the rules out more succinctly, NO GAMBLING ON ANY SPORTS AT ALL. Then there is no need for a betting card of any sort. Secondly, this must also involve ALL staff and employees including all at AFL House. What's good for the goose is also good for the Gander. Thirdly, off field behaviour, the same rules apply for everyone.