Nathan Bock suspended for "reckless" breach of betting code

[george_on_the_outer 7,582]

If the AFL wanted to put a stop to this they could, but Adrian Anderson avoided the very first question fielded at the press conference:

Why don't you ban spot betting?

Claimed it would then go "underground". Who with Indian bookmakers?

Perhaps the AFL and Anderson should note the difference between the laws in India and those in Australia. Perhaps they should note the type of betting that has led to numerous cricket scandals.

People can bet on the outcome of a game fairly because AFL results cannot be manipulated ( unlike soccer). Betting on who kicks the first goal, or when will a no-ball be bowled are the types of betting which can be manipulated. Ban that and all this ridiculous puffery stops instantly.

[Arrow 1,257]

What you do is.....Keep your mouth closed about your game before the ball is bounced....to everyone...You are being well paid as it is.

Again this is well and good in perfect principle but doesn't seems to be the biggest overkill ever.

Nathan Bock was in a forward line with arguably 5-8 other blokes who could all kick goals. The other team also had this corresponding number of potential goalkickers. 

Let's take the option of this bet out of the game not blame a person for suggesting he is playing a new position and potentially excited about thus mentioning it to his close friends. 

Is Tyson Goldsack not allowed to tell his parents he was playing in the grand final to keep it a secret? 

This is real life and footballers are real people. 

Our expectations are stupid.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,030]

I have one thing to say about this. Have a look at the goal he kicked. He ignores his teammates and takes a long bomb from just outside the center square. To me, that screams out that he knew there were bets on and was looking to nail that goal.

[Whispering_Jack 29,826]

Our expectations are stupid.

In the context of the administration of our game (read business), our expectations are truly stupid. I know I'm straying off topic but really ... for the AFL to claim that it has an "integrity policy" is risible.

I expect the AFL Commission to act fairly and deal with integrity on all matters but it has not done so in the past and therefore I do not expect it to do so in the future.

One example was its clear conflict of interest in the way it framed the rules pertaining to the entry of the new franchises and how they gave them a competitive advantage over other clubs which resulted in some clubs finding it impossible to retain their young players while, at the same time preventing them from receiving proper and adequate compensation. For the commission to oversee this process in its conflicted position is IMO far worse than anything Bock did or that thug from Essendon before him.

End of rant.

[Sir Why You Little 36,990]

Again this is well and good in perfect principle but doesn't seems to be the biggest overkill ever.

Nathan Bock was in a forward line with arguably 5-8 other blokes who could all kick goals. The other team also had this corresponding number of potential goalkickers.

Let's take the option of this bet out of the game not blame a person for suggesting he is playing a new position and potentially excited about thus mentioning it to his close friends.

Is Tyson Goldsack not allowed to tell his parents he was playing in the grand final to keep it a secret?

This is real life and footballers are real people.

Our expectations are stupid.

I do not Disagree with you BUT...You cannot have Professional Footballers in any way connected to Gambling. QED, otherwise the game will die at Top Level.

I also agree with what Ralph says above

I have one thing to say about this. Have a look at the goal he kicked. He ignores his teammates and takes a long bomb from just outside the center square. To me, that screams out that he knew there were bets on and was looking to nail that goal.

To what extent does not matter..Nathan Bock knew that money had been placed on him, and he had a crack.

With a 10k Fine, his mates can pay it off with there 40k winnings.

Yes i Blame the AFL for this Rampant Sports Betting Cancer, but the players and officials must stay squeaky clean. Otherwise be severely punished.