ANZ Championships – Round 2 Tips

A change of scenery for a number of top-shelf players and coaches in the ANZ Championship brought with it a couple of upsets in the opening week, with both the defending champion Queensland Firebirds and perennial finalists Waikato/ BOP Magic tasting defeat. The transition was a little smoother in Making The Nut’s netball offices, with Three Feet Radio’s own Ben Carbonaro ably stepping into the tipster role and giving us two recommended bets that saluted with plenty of room to spare. Onward and upward to Round 2….

 

Results for Round 1 tips

Round 1: 2 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.74 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = +87%

Our 2011 introductory discussion of how netball line betting works and what to expect from this column

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.

I’m sure nobody is reading this to hear me prattle on for any longer than absolutely necessary, which means it is time to hand it over to Ben for the Round 2 good oil for the 2012 ANZ Championships:

 

Round 2 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Saturday April 7, 4:20 PM Central Pulse v Southern Steel

Pulse:  0-1(seventh on ladder), 0-0 at home (3-4at home in 2011)

Steel:  1-0 (fifth on ladder), 0-0 away (1-6 away in 2011)

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC*

Ben says:  The Pulse are a much improved side compared to last year and after last week's against the same opposition, they should be able to rebound and if Caitlin Thwaites in attack, along with Joline Henry fire across each quarter they will win.Pulse by 3

Recommended bet:  TBC*

 

Sunday April 8, 12:10 PM Queensland Firebirds v Adelaide Thunderbirds

Firebirds:  0-1 (eighth on ladder), 0-1at home (6-0 at home in 2011)

Thunderbirds:  1-0 (second on ladder), 0-0 away (2-4 away in 2011)

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC*

Ben says:  Last year's premiers were cruising during the first half before letting the Vixens back into the game last week, but will be tested by a Thunderbirds team coming off a strong opening round win over an inconsistent Swifts team. It will still be a close game between these two, but Firebirds will win by 2.

Recommended bet:  TBC*

 

Sunday April 8, 12:20 PM West Coast Fever v Melbourne Vixens

Fever:  1-0 (first on ladder), 1-0 at home (1-6 at home in 2011)

Vixens:  1-0 (third on ladder), 1-0 away (3-3 away in 2011)

Bookmakers’ line:  Fever +3.5 (TAB Sportsbet)

Ben says:  West Coast proved that they will be a lot more competitive and consistent team this year with a superb win over a struggling Tactix outfit last Monday night. However, the Vixens surprised many with a strong second half showing to grab an upset win over the defending premiers Queensland Firebirds and will test the Fever. Vixens by 5

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday April 8, 7:20 PM Waikato/BOP Magic v Northern Mystics

Magic:  0-1 (sixth on ladder), 0-0 at home(4-2 at home in 2011)

Mystics:  1-0 (fourth on ladder), 0-0 away (6-1 away in 2011)

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC*

Ben says:  Last year's Grand Finalists were tested by a much improved Pulse outfit but still got up to win their first game of the season but they face a Magic team still full of Silver Ferns talent that will test most sides this season. Mystics by 5

Recommended bet:   TBC*

 

Monday April 9, 7:40 PM Canterbury Tactix v NSW Swifts

Tactix:  0-1 (tenth on ladder), 0-0at home(1-6 at home in 2011)

Swifts:  0-1 (ninth on ladder), 0-1 away (5-2 away in 2011)

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC*

Ben says:  Both these teams are coming off opening round losses, but if the Swifts can string together four consistent quarters after dropping off for one in round one, they should account for the Tactix. Swifts by 6

Recommended bet:  TBC*

*After one week of being able to look at the bookmaker lines for each game by Firday, we’re back to the same old 2011 treatment again – unimpressive. At any rate, keep an eye on the comments section below, where we’ll try to keep you posted on lines for the other four games as they become available.

 

Thanks to Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo

 

Other netball columns:

Idiot’s Guide to the ANZ Championship

Shaking Up the ANZ Championship