The AFLW got off to a cracker start on the weekend with four games being played at high intensity and skill. The Aussie fans showed their appreciation for the concept with over 50,000 fans streaming through the gates of games held in Melbourne and Adelaide.
The rounds opening game between Carlton and Collingwood saw over 22,000 fans rush into Carlton’s Ikon Park, resulting in the ground selling out in record time and up to 1,000 people left stranded outside the gates.
Perth will get its first taste of AFLW action on the weekend as Fremantle host the Brisbane Lions at Fremantle Stadium, while AFLW general manager Simon Lethlean is now having discussions of moving this week’s Collingwood vs Melbourne game to the larger Ikon Park.
They are great dilemmas to have if you are in control of the AFLW. The fan support shows that the Australian Football community is backing the Women’s League, while the gambling community is also loving the new action on offer!
Sportsbet have stated that the opening round clash between Carlton and Collingwood received more bets than all of this week’s NBL games, and more than two of the five A-League matches over the weekend.
Many fans tried to take advantage of the new competition, thinking that some of the bookies might be a little in the dark as to how the matches would play out.
“Fans voted with their feet in favour of the AFL Women’s competition and punters have done the same over the course of the opening round,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Christian Jantzen.
According to Sportsbet, the other games during the weekend also received a lot of betting action, with the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle and Melbourne vs Brisbane clashes reportedly accepting more bets than the than two of the A-League games.
With a couple of underdog victories over the weekend, the Premiership market fluctuated, with the Western Bulldogs the new favourites after a dominant win over Fremantle.
