$25k payday: Ex-chairman's mega bet on his former club

Ex-Suns chairman Tony Cochrane is so confident the Gold Coast side will finish top four in 2025 that he’s got a potential $25,000 payday riding on it.

Now fifteen seasons into their AFL tenure, Cochrane is adamant that the club’s second year under the leadership of Damien Hardwick will produce finals footy for the first time.

The Suns' season could not have started better after a club-record 87-point demolition of West Coast.

“I’m so confident and now that I'm not an AFL official, I'm allowed to bet again," he told SEN's Whateley.

“I took a bet two months ago at $25,000 to 500 we would finish top four at the end of the home-and-away season.

“So I'm very convicted that the Suns are going to do what you see about every third or fourth year, a team that sort of has an okay season the year before doesn't just get into the eight, they really jump into the eight and finish in the top four.

“Everything I see about the Suns reminds me of being in that situation. I thought they played on Sunday afternoon with a degree of intense passion and real commitment that we haven’t seen a lot from the Suns.

“I think 12 months on, Hardwick has a big big impact. They have got an elite midfield, a very good backline and the two new additions have made a massive difference.

“It’s a big year for the King (Ben) up forward, I’m gung-ho about the Suns this year.

“Everyone can say, ‘Well it’s about time’, let’s just make sure it’s our time.”

Amid a popularity contest between the AFL and NRL, Cochrane delivered a brutal sledge to their neighbours and cross-code rivals the Titans.

"They (Suns) have absolutely overtaken the Titans on the Gold Coast as the team of choice," he continued.

"There's no question that AFL is very, very healthy on the Gold Coast from junior level all the way through.

"It's now the norm to see kids walking around in Suns gear, guys in Suns hats.

"It's definitely got its claws into the territory now."

The Suns will hope to start their season 2-0 when they face the Demons at the MCG in Round 3 following their bye this weekend.

They are currently $7 to make the top four with Sportsbet.

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