Game fixing in the AFL?

[Redline]

The Brownlow in particular is a good example. Even just a casual conversation between the umpires can be enough to influence votes in enough games.

 

[HurleyHepsHird]

I suspect in the past an umpire, player or team may have been involved in obscure stat fixing.

For example first goal etc. but IDK if umpires could reliably rig an entire match. Maybe a team could throw a result though, or a coach, similar to the Demons tanking scandal.

Sure sometimes it feels like favoured teams for the AFL are massaged to victory, but this may be implicit bias. Much like how a journalist at the Herald Sun or 9 doesn't need to be told explicitly by an editor to attack Labor or distort a message, they are hired because they can intuit the interpretations their employer wants, certain umpires may know who the AFL wants favoured or punished.

 

[deanc]

Of course the most amusing thing is that you can pick literally any game and both sets of supporters will swear on their life the umps are deadset favouring the oppo.

But also, Razor Ray is the biggest fixer in the business without being a fixer of results. He just pulls random sh*t out to get on camera.

You can always rely on Panell and Nicholls to take a side.

Don't let the Westies start on Margetts.

Eleni is probably the dark horse here, by virtue of not knowing the actual rules she is able to pay free kicks in any situation to anyone.

I also have a good chuckle at the various conspiracy theories regarding umps favouring one team and also the fabricated rumours such as Margetts being on the WC Eagles board, when in fact it's well known that all registered match day officials are forbidden to even hold club memberships...?

Re Eleni, yes, well, she does have her occasional good games, and perhaps of note is that the AFL have not rushed out looking to recruit more female field umps...

 

[hilly]

I suspect in the past an umpire, player or team may have been involved in obscure stat fixing.

For example first goal etc. but IDK if umpires could reliably rig an entire match. Maybe a team could throw a result though, or a coach, similar to the Demons tanking scandal.

Sure sometimes it feels like favoured teams for the AFL are massaged to victory, but this may be implicit bias. Much like how a journalist at the Herald Sun or 9 doesn't need to be told explicitly by an editor to attack Labor or distort a message, they are hired because they can intuit the interpretations their employer wants, certain umpires may know who the AFL wants favoured or punished.

That's what happened in cricket. Too hard to throw entire games but getting someone to send down a wide on the 3rd delivery of their 2nd over = easy money. Also never bet on satellite tennis matches.

First goal could easily be manipulated. Umpire sees a tussle between the FF and FB = free kick.

 

[Del80659]

Every piece of play is manipulated. They make the wrong call to gift the team they need momentum then can just say later it was the individuals interpretation.

 

[Gough]

The betting pot in an average AFL game wouldn't be big enough to get any serious match fixers on board. Once you'd payed off umpires and players I doubt there'd be enough left over to make it worth your while. Big Bash cricket would be what my sights are set on, global betting market and fringe players still not on much.

 

[Del80659]

lol what

 

[Tippett2Goal]

Taking aside 2016 GF, which so obviously umpired to get an AFL desired outcome, and not a result of bookie manipulation.

There have been a couple of stories over the years about players deliberately playing poorly due to bookie influence.

A particular forward in 2009, is rumored to have moved himself so far up the field that he wasn't anywhere near the goals in a week where he was heavily backed to not kick a goal.

 

[NonPhixion]

One thing I’ve noticed is the naming of players in strange positions when teams get posted. IMO this is only done for the benefit of bookies. Coaches know they aren’t fooling the other team by naming McEvoy on the wing & then proceeds to start in the ruck.
this sounds a bit crazy but there was 1 particular game, Melb vs Crows this year where Neale Bulleen got put up at ridiculous odds to kick a goal. There would have been plenty of $$ on it. He was named in the forward pocket the night before. Then on game day when they release the final teams he was named in the Back-Pocket. I rekon this was done to encourage ppl to cash out bets when seeing the line-up. Nevertheless he started & spent the whole game forward. He didn’t kick a goal, but that’s not really the point I’m making. I know for a fact this happens, it’s happened a couple other times this year. Usually with lesser known players
And if you want to fact check this go on the AFL app now & see the team line-up on that game.

 

[Farang83150]

The CEO's shown to be corruptible and has done under the table deals so why wouldn't others?

 

[Brezsa]

There is an interesting podcast from the US. They spoke to illegal bookies about it, (around American Football) the way they said you do it, is around the spread, so you find the match with one overwhelming favourite, set the spread, and target the qtr back, a few incomplete passes, few fumbles, spread isn’t hit.

They pretty much suggested it happens, but around College Football, where the players are unpaid and playing in front of thousands of people, so they feel like they are entitled to money.

I suppose the Australian equivalent would be getting a few players to deliberately miss shots to protect the spread, but you’d think while the quarterback is practically a guarantee, too many variables in the AFL. Based on what they where saying look for a match where 1 team is expected to absolutely smash another & they actually don’t, they win, but not by as much as everyone thought they would

 

[Tippett2Goal]

There is an interesting podcast from the US. They spoke to illegal bookies about it, (around American Football) the way they said you do it, is around the spread, so you find the match with one overwhelming favourite, set the spread, and target the qtr back, a few incomplete passes, few fumbles, spread isn’t hit.

They pretty much suggested it happens, but around College Football, where the players are unpaid and playing in front of thousands of people, so they feel like they are entitled to money.

I suppose the Australian equivalent would be getting a few players to deliberately miss shots to protect the spread, but you’d think while the quarterback is practically a guarantee, too many variables in the AFL. Based on what they where saying look for a match where 1 team is expected to absolutely smash another & they actually don’t, they win, but not by as much as everyone thought they would

Could likely do similar (historically) by targeting a key forward, especially if they have a lot of ball directed their way, maybe they kick 0.5 for the day, and because of this the team wins by 30 instead of 40+

Agreed that wouldn't be as gauranteed as getting to a QB who has the ball in his hands all the time.

 

[Kappa]

Any big time professional fixers wouldn't use the AFL when there are plenty of other sports a million times easier to fix.

 

[Hawksboy72]

Not sure about today but in the 90s match fixing was happening I know this for a fact. Close contacts within the betting industry and a club.

I worked with a bloke who was involved with Port & Collingwood who told me it wasn't so much match fixing it was more betting on margins where teams made their coin.

 

[GROTTO]

I worked with a bloke who was involved with Port & Collingwood who told me it wasn't so much match fixing it was more betting on margins where teams made their coin.

Yes I would be more leaning towards this, than actual match fixing, ie playing to lose.

Margins and lines can be manipulated and players can still feel like they have clean conscience as they are still playing to win.

With that said you do get suspicious results towards the end of a season, when nothing is really on the line to win. For example a teams ladder position wont change if they lose to a bottom team when playing away.

 

[GROTTO]

Come on guys, it's a clean sport, too difficult to fix, and all of the players and coaches and umpires involved are genuine and passionate about doing their best.

Also when I left my baby teeth under my pillow a fairy gave me money for them.

I just need to bet on a player to kick goals for a given game, I know exactly what will happen when I do.

Zero