Probably, cause if an auction wasn't there, what stops someone...

Probably, cause if an auction wasn't there, what stops someone placing a large bid jump before close to raise the price up 5-10%+. But then, is that classed as manipulation... or is someone just willing to get in?

Obviously the next day or overnight traders will see an increase in the stock and jump-in in the morning as they might think someone knows something they don't. As the unexpected are jumping in, the so called manipulator is selling out.

In the end there are plenty of possible scenarios be it manipulative or not. We plebs just have to deal with it because the ASX isn't going to change it to help the Mum's/Dad's traders.