Melbourne Storm fallout

And the fallout begins:

BIG PAYOUT ON WOODEN SPOON AS STORM STRIPPED OF POINTS

Sportingbet Australia will pay over $40,000 on the Wooden Spoon after Melbourne Storm were stripped of all their Premiership points.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said this would change the way Wooden Spoon betting would be done in the future.

“Melbourne has gone from $251 to no betting in the space of six hours which has to be the biggest shortener in betting history,” Sullivan said.

“We will look at the way we bet on the Wooden Spoon in the future as punters and bookmakers alike are betting without all the information.”

“We have refunded all Premiership bets on Melbourne as they are now out of calculations.”

Sullivan said the decision had an enormous impact on betting going forward in 2010 as well.

“This has consequences on match betting throughought the year, as what motivation do the Storm have if they can’t finish anywhere but last,” he said.

“We have suspended all markets on Melbourne’s game this weekend’s with the Warriors.

“St George are the new favourites for the Premiership at $4.50 ahead of Parramatta and Manly at $7.00.”

NRL PREMIERSHIP
Sportingbet Australia Market
St George Dragons 4.50
Manly Sea Eagles 6.50
Parramatta Eels 6.50
Wests Tigers 7.50
Penrith Panthers 9.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 11.00
Gold Coast Titans 11.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 11.00
Sydney Roosters 15.00
Brisbane Broncos 26.00
New Zealand Warriors 29.00
Canberra Raiders 51.00
Newcastle Knights 51.00
North Qld Cowboys 51.00
Cronulla Sharks 251.00