2013 ANZ Championships – Round 12 Tips

With two of the top five sides scheduled for a bye this weekend and only three more rounds until the end of the home and away season, Round 12 of the ANZ Championship provides an opportunity for the remainder of the top four (the Vixens, Firebirds and Magic respectively) to break away from the chasing pack and solidify their finals claims. Ben Carbonaro returns to preview this week’s fixtures.

 

Results for Round 11 tips

Round 11:  3 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.70 units

2013 total:  23 units bet, 14 winners, return of 26.14 units (14% PoT)

2012/ 2013 total:  53 units bet, 34 winners, return of 63.79 units (20% 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 12 of the 2013 ANZ Championships:

Round 12 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

 

Saturday June 8, 12:10 PM Melbourne Vixens v NSW Swifts

Vixens:  8-2 (second on ladder), 4-1 home

Swifts:  2-8 (eighth on ladder), 0-5 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Melbourne reversed the round nine result with a consistent four quarter performance that was highlighted by goal keeper Geva Mentor restricting Queensland's Jamaican shooting machine Romelda Aiken to under 40 goals. NSW pushed Adelaide Thunderbirds and while they were consistent until the final five minutes, they went missing with minutes remaining. While the Swifts have found an ability to push the top sides, they will struggle to contain a Vixens team that is playing solid netball at the moment. Vixens by 15
Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday June 9, 10:10 AM West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds

Fever:  4-6 (seventh on ladder), 3-2 home

Firebirds:  7-3 (third on ladder), 5-0 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The West Coast Fever return from a week off following a two game road trip to New Zealand where they beat Canterbury Tactix and lost a one-goal thriller to Central Pulse. While they are always dangerous at home, Queensland should just get over the line as they look to rebound from back to back losses. Firebirds by 3

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday June 9, 7:20 PM Southern Steel v Canterbury Tactix

Steel:  5-5 (sixth on ladder), 3-1 home

Tactix:  2-8 (ninth on ladder), 1-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Southern Steel pulled off something of an upset back in round seven, when they beat the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic. In the return fixture last week, it was in reverse as Magic cemented a top four spot with a six-goal win in Rotorua. This week expect Steel's goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler to have a field day, who along with defensive pair Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick/Rachel Rasmussen are always dangerous against any opposition. Tactix were competitive for the first half against the Central Pulse but once again struggled to maintain it after half-time as they gave away too much ball. Steel will easily win what could become a very one sided contest. Steel by 13

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday June 10, 7:40 PM Northern Mystics v Waikato/BOP Magic

Mystics:  1-9 (tenth on ladder), 1-4 home

Magic:  6-4 (fourth on ladder), 2-4 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Northern Mystics are back on deck this week but were demolished by a NSW Swifts team with similar form lines to them last time they were on court back in round 10. Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic's form was a bit all over the shop in recent weeks, but them now back in the top four and back to playing consistent netball coupled with all their star players firing they will be hard to beat. Magic by 16

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye week:  Adelaide Thunderbirds, Central Pulse

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