2013 ANZ Championship – Round 9 Tips

Round 9 of the ANZ Championship is headlined by the opening two matches – the Steel host the Magic in a battle for fourth position, while second plays third when the Vixens host the Firebirds in a battle of the 6-1 sides. Ben Carbonaro picked up another couple of winning bets last week to extend his season record to 11-5 – he returns to preview a big week in the context of shaping the finals picture.

Results for Round 8 tips

Round 8:  2 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.77 units

2013 total:  16 units bet, 11 winners, return of 20.54 units (28% PoT)

 

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.

Here are Ben’s thoughts on Round 9 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:

Round 9 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Saturday May 18, 4:20 PM Southern Steel v Waikato/BOP Magic

Steel:  4-3 (fifth on ladder), 2-1 home

Magic:  4-3 (fourth on ladder), 1-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Magic returned to form with a come from behind win over the Central Pulse and something quite rare happened, Irene van Dyk was outscored by her goal attack. Ellen Halpenny scored 32 goals to van Dyk's 22 . While this was a big talking point out of the game, the consistency traditionally displayed by the Magic across all four quarters wasn't there as Pulse controlled the first half. Steel are firming are a genuine finals contender and they are doing enough at the moment to win games.
Magic by 4
Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 19, 12:10 PM Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds

Vixens:  6-1 (second on ladder), 3-0 home

Firebirds:  6-1 (third on ladder), 4-0 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Vixens were made to work for their win over the NSW Swifts last week, but it was another impressive performance from a team that have the best defensive bookends in the competition with goal defence Bianca Chatfield and goal keeper Geva Mentor. Containing Queensland's Jamaican shooting machine Romelda Aiken is always a tough task and with a young midcourt performing above expectations, this won't be an easy game for the Vixens. The wider netball community is rallying around Firebirds captain Laura Geitz are losing her father in a farming accident earlier this week.  Vixens by 6

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 19, 1:50 PM Adelaide Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts

Thunderbirds:  7-1 (first on ladder), 4-0 home

Swifts:  1-6 (ninth on ladder), 0-4 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Adelaide are in superb form at the moment with Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego a focal point in attack to go with Rebecca Bulley and the tenacious Sharni Layton in defence. They had to grind out their win against a tenacious West Coast Fever team last week in Perth and while it wasn't their best performance, they were happy to come away with the two points. The NSW Swifts have tasted victory just once this season, but have been competitive in every other game including last week's loss to the Melbourne Vixens where they controlled the first quarter before trailing at the next three quarter breaks. Thunderbirds by 14

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 19, 7:20 PM Canterbury Tactix v West Coast Fever

Tactix:  2-5 (eighth on ladder), 1-3 home

Fever:  3-5 (sixth on ladder), 0-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  It couldn't get any worse for the Tactix, as they were mauled by 25 goals by a rampaging Queensland Firebirds team last week. The Tactix looked like a high school team out on court with errant passes, poor defensive skills and a general lack of intensity, but they have vowed to improve this week. They face West Coast Fever, who have consecutive games on the road in New Zealand in what shapes as another opportunity for them to improve their finals chances.  Fever by 10

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday May 20, 7:40 PM Central Pulse v Northern Mystics

Pulse:  3-5 (seventh on ladder), 3-1 home

Mystics:  1-7 (tenth on ladder), 0-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Pulse pushed the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic as they controlled the first half before going before going down by four goals on Monday night. They are playing some competitive netball at the moment and continue to be another team that many have suggested could be a finals dark horse. Mystics just haven't been able to get their season going and with goal shooter Cathrine Latu out of form, things can't get any worse for them.Pulse by 11

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye week:  Nil

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