2013 ANZ Championships – Round 2 tips
It may only be the second round of the competition, but this weekend’s action is headlined by two games which may offer previews of what lays in store come finals time. The Magic host the Swifts and the Vixens host the Thunderbirds in what appear to be the two best matchups of the round. Ben Carbonaro returns to give his thoughts on the upcoming fixtures.
Results for Round 1 tips
Round 1 and 2013 total: 1 unit bet, no winners, return of 0.00 units
Once again this year, for the purposes of this weekly column, we will only recommend a bet where Ben’s opinion differs from that of bookmakers by at least 3.5 goals.
Here are Ben’s thoughts on Round 2 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:
Round 2 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)
Saturday March 30, 4:20 AM Canterbury Tactix v Southern Steel
Tactix: 0-1 (tenth on ladder), 0-1 home
Steel: 0-1 (sixth on ladder), 0-1 away
Bookmakers’ line: Steel -5.5
Ben says: The Steel were easily beaten by Queensland Firebirds last week, but they should easily account for a Tactix team that are in what for what could be a long year of being competitive but struggling to get wins on the board. A feature of the Steel team this year is Jamaican shooting machine Jhaniele Fowler, who will be give the Tactix and every other team a real headache this season. Steel by 12
Recommended bet: 1 unit on Steel -5.5 at $1.87 (TAB Sportsbet)
Sunday March 31, 12:10 PM Melbourne Vixens v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Vixens: 1-0 (third on ladder), 0-0 home
Thunderbirds: 1-0 (fourth on ladder), 0-0 away
Bookmakers’ line: Vixens -3.5
Ben says: Melbourne are always strong at home and with Sharelle McMahon back, they have some extra potency back in their attacking line coupled with Howarth/Caldwell. They played were rarely tested by the Mystics in their first game before closing it out with a very dominant final quarter. The Thunderbirds didn't have an easy first up clash with the Central Pulse and despite winning by seven goals, they were definitely pushed and will need to being their A-game if they want to beat the Vixens in front of a passionate Hisense Arena crowd. Vixens by 6
Recommended bet: Nil
Sunday March 31, 11:20 AM West Coast Fever v Northern Mystics
Fever: 0-1 (ninth on ladder), 0-0 home
Mystics: 0-1 (eighth on ladder), 0-0 away
Bookmakers’ line: No line (i.e. each team is $1.90 to win outright)
Ben says: West Coast were blown out of the water against the Swifts last Monday night, but it's not a reflection of how many have tipped them to perform this season with some suggesting that finals netball isn't out of the question. Mystics have stars all over the court but another last quarter fadeout from them could happen again. The Fever were in many of the games they lost last year, only to fade out in the second half but with former Diamonds coach Norma Plummer at the helm and plenty of talent across the court, this should help them to get their first home win of the season. Fever by 5
Recommended bet: 1 unit on Fever to win outright at $1.87 (TAB Sportsbet)
Sunday March 31, 7:20 PM Waikato/BOP Magic v NSW Swifts
Magic: 1-0 (first on ladder), 0-0 home
Swifts: 1-0 (second on ladder), 0-0 away
Bookmakers’ line: Magic -4.5
Ben says: Having a particular player to shape your game plan around usually has impressive results and this is particularly evident with the Magic, who have evergreen Irene van Dyk at goal shooter. She was a focal point in their demolition of Canterbury Tactix last week and will be one of several stars the Swifts will need to restrict this week. The Swifts had a dominant first up win over West Coast Fever after flying out of the blocks in the first quarter, but facing the Magic at home is an event tougher task, as is adjusting to the New Zealand style of play. Magic by 9
Recommended bet: 1 unit on Magic -4.5 at $1.87 (TAB Sportsbet)
Monday April 1, 7:40 PM Central Pulse v Queensland Firebirds
Pulse: 0-1(seventh on ladder), 0-0 home
Firebirds: 1-0 (fifth on ladder), 0-0 away
Bookmakers’ line: Firebirds -4.5
Ben says: he Pulse pushed the Adelaide Thunderbirds in round one, but facing Queensland is a different task altogether. Queensland proved that they could be a quality team despite significant changes to their midcourt including Australian Fast Five Diamond Kim Ravillion, who was a standout last week. With shooters Romelda Aiken and Natalie Medhurst firing, it will be tough for Central's defence to contain them and restrict flow of ball into the shooting circle. Firebirds by 5
Recommended bet: Nil
Thanks to Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo
