Darryn Lyons is the favourite to win his job back at next year’s Geelong mayoral election, according to a national online bookie.
Sportsbet.com.au has Mr Lyons as a $3 chance to return as mayor after the State Government yesterday sacked him with the rest of Geelong’s council.
“Darryn Lyons’ tenure as mayor was as brief as it was flamboyant and, while he’ll be licking his wounds today, the money suggests the job is his for the taking in 2017 if he decides to throw his Mohawk back in the ring,’’ said Sportsbet’s Ben Bulmer.
Mr Lyons has yet to say whether he will run for mayor again. He has also been raised as a potential Independent candidate for the Labor-held federal seat of Corio.
Businessman Keith Fagg, who lasted less than a year as Geelong’s first directly elected mayor, was the second favourite at $5, Sportsbet said.
Former mayor Ken Jarvis, who lost to Mr Lyons in the mayoral by-election to replace Mr Fagg, was third at $7.50, while Liberal member and serial candidate Angelo Kakouros was $11.
Sportsbet failed to give odds on Stephanie Asher, who finished second to Mr Lyons in the 2013 election.
“Geelong’s favourite ranga, Cameron Ling” was a $16 chance, Sportsbet said.
The bookie took a dim view on the chances of Mr Lyons’ sacked colleagues.
“Of the sacked councillors, Jock Irvine is the best priced at $21, with Rod Macdonald ($41), Kylie Fisher ($41), Eddy Kontelj ($41), Kylie Fisher ($41), Tony Ansett ($51) and Andy Richards ($51) all outside chances.”
The Andrews government sacked the council on Thursday, citing a culture of bullying at City Hall.
The government had planned to install administrators until 2020 but backflipped after Upper House crossbenchers opposed the timeframe.
Geelong will now elect its next mayor and council in October 2017.
