¶ THE stakes are high for Vic Hotel publican Tracey Denholm in the Bulletin’s footy tipping competition this year.
Ahead of the AFL action officially getting underway this week, Mrs Denholm told the Bulletin a battle within the battle will be fought throughout the season.
“I have a few little side bets happening,” Mrs Denholm revealed.
She has the Crown Hotel’s Jason Stanley in her sights, with the Throssell Street hotels to duke it out for tipping supremacy.
“I look at the teams and go with my heart,” Mrs Denholm said of her process.
However, this might not extend to backing her team, the Eagles.
Early wins on the board will be required for her to get behind them, unless they are facing cross-town rivals the Dockers, in which case she will back the Eagles every time.
“There’s always hope,” she observed, adding that anticipation is high ahead of Thursday's season opener.
“I love footy,” she said.
“I love sitting around the bar and chatting about it.”
A first prize of $2000 is up for grabs, with $1000 going to the second place-getter and $500 to third, to be spent at any of the competition’s participating businesses.