Darryn Lyons is almost an unbackable favourite to win Geelong’s mayoral by-election, according to a leading online bookie.
Sportsbet has the flamboyant ex-paparazzi boss at odds of $1.33, ahead of businessman Ken Jarvis on $4 and Stefanie Asher at $11.
Former councillor Anthony Aitken is next at $12 and ex-mayor John Mitchell has odds of $15.
Bunnings area manager Lily Stefanovic and Leopold mystery man John Smith are the longest odds in the 16-candidate field, at $81 each.
Other polls and Facebook feedback to the Independent have also suggested a Lyons win.
Mr Lyons has enjoyed bipartisan backing from figures such as prominent Liberal Robert Doyle and former Labor MP Peter Loney along with local sports stars such as the Cats’ Joel Selwood and cricketer Aaron Finch.
Geelong businessmen including Frank Costa have been heavily backing Mr Jarvis with newspaper advertisements.
Voting finishes 6pm today, with Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to begin counting 8.30am Saturday.
A VEC spokesperson said the computer count would continue on Sunday, with the winner likely to be announced 4pm Monday.
Geelong’s council will spend over $500,000 on the by-election to replace Keith Fagg, who quit nine months into his four-year term as Geelong’s first directly elected mayor.
