First-Time Coach The Likely Choice For The Power

Alan Eskander, Managing Director of Betstar, has weighed into the debate over whether Port Adelaide will target an experienced coach or a first timer to replace the sacked Matthew Primus.

Eskander believes that the Power-brokers at Alberton will see this as an opportunity to rebuild the club from the bottom up, and has opened two markets on the decision.

Punters can bet on whether the coach appointed is a first-time AFL senior coach or not, as well as the full market of contenders for the role.

“I think that the Power will go for a young, hungry coach with something to prove,” Eskander said. “They are pretty close to completely bottoming out, and they will be looking for a long-term solution as opposed to a quick fix. We have opened a market on whether the coach will be a first-timer, and we have that priced very short at $1.33. I’m happy to be taken to the cleaners if people disagree with me.”

Eskander thinks that not only would Port Adelaide be making a blue by trying to solve their problems too quickly, but that the ‘Golden Oldies’ would not be that keen to move to the City of Churches anyway.

“The likes of Mick Malthouse ($21), Paul Roos ($34) and Leigh Matthews ($34) are unlikely to be coaxed out of the coaching wilderness here; this is not the right challenge for any of them, and to be honest, it’s not an especially attractive proposal.”

“I feel it is the same for the likes of Neil Craig ($34) and even Rodney Eade ($6); whilst they would probably both love to be a senior coach again one day, they are in their first year of new senior assistant roles, and despite media suggesting ‘Rocket’ is the man for the job I think it is the wrong approach from Port if they head in that direction.”

“I think that the likes of Leon Cameron ($5), Scott Burns ($8) and Mark Bickley ($8) deserve to have a crack. Port have seen their cross-town rivals take a punt on a new man with great results, and will most likely look to follow suit.”

Eskander also thinks that there is no chance of Power Premiership coach Mark Williams returning to the role he held for over a decade.

“He is already coaching GWS; Sheeds is just the PR man, the spin doctor. We think that there is more of a chance of Israel Folau winning the 2013 Coleman Medal than ‘Choco’ returning to that hot seat, and have priced him at $51 accordingly.

To view Betstar’s Port Adelaide coaching markets, including the New Blood vs. Golden Oldies special, head to www.betstar.com.au or betstar.mobi/

For further information about Betstar’s AFL markets, or to arrange radio interviews, please contact:

• Pete Fairbairn, PR & Events Coordinator, +61 424 349 011 OR pfairbairn@betstar.com.au