'Big difference': Nathan Buckley calls out AFL over betting ban

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has raised his eyebrows at what he considered a lenient ban for gambling which was recently handed to Gold Coast's Rhys Nicholls.

Nicholls copped a $5000 fine and a two-match suspension for placing a total of 10 bets, totalling $256, with six of those being places on Suns matches.

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Yet to make his AFL debut, Nicholls will have to wait until round three before he's eligible for selection - however Buckley thinks he got off lightly.

The former Magpies champion was clearly unimpressed by the punishment handed down by the AFL, comparing it to the 22-game ban former Collingwood midfielder Jaidyn Stephenson was handed in 2019.

Stephenson had placed thee bets, worth $36, on Collingwood to win, the margin of victory, and on himself to kick a goal.

After an investigation Stephenson was handed a 22 match ban with 10 of those suspended, as well as a whopping $20,000 fine.

The lengthy suspension lead to Stephenson missing Collingwood's 2019 preliminary final loss to the GWS Giants in a four-point heartbreaker.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Buckley said Stephenson had every right to question the consistency of the AFL's decisions.

“I just wonder how Jaidyn Stephenson woke up on Friday to see the news that there was a Suns player who had 10 bets totally $256 and received a two-week suspension and $5000 fine, next to Jaidyn’s three bets at $36 for a 22-week suspension and a $20,000 fine," Buckley wondered aloud.

“I just wonder what Stevo thought about the consistency of that decision making.

“And he did miss the last half of 2019. We lost the prelim by four points. He would’ve been handy.”

AFL suspends Gold Coast Suns' Rhys Nicholls over betting

Co-host Sam Edmund suggested that Stephenson's ban was much more harsh because he had placed bets on himself.

Nicholls was fortunate to have only wagered on the Suns as a team, rather than on his individual performance.

“Jaidyn Stephenson was betting on his own outcome,” Edmund said.

“Betting on the number of goals he would kick and how many disposals his teammates would get and he’s involved the game so I think that’s a pretty big difference.”

All of Nicholls' bets were made in an account under his name and were unsuccessful.

The AFL's integrity unit interviewed Nicholls, who cooperated with the investigation.

"The AFL amended its rules relating to wagering in March 2020 to make it clear that player and officials would be held responsible for bets that are placed on accounts in their name," Mr Dillon said.

"The AFL, AFLPA, and all clubs provide extensive education and counselling on all matters relating to gambling.

"There simply is no excuse - if you have a betting account it is your responsibility to ensure that it is not used for betting on AFL matches regardless of whether you place the bets or not."

Suns football performance manager Wayne Campbell stated the club would stick by Nicholls.

"Rhys has cooperated fully with the investigation, put his hand up and understands the rules and why they are in place," Campbell said.

"Rhys will prepare for the upcoming season and we as a football club will continue to support him moving forward."

With AAP

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