2014 ANZ Championship – Round 9 Tips

Ben Carbonaro previews Round 9 of 2014 ANZ Championship action.

Results

Round 8: No units bet

2014: 21 units bet, gross return of 18.99 units, net loss of 2.01 units

 

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

Friday April 25, 1:48 PM  Swifts v Steel

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: NSW Swifts v Southern Steel
In a first for Canberra, an ANZ Championship netball game will be played there on ANZAC and Australia’s captial becomes the 20th city to host one. Last Sunday the Swifts went down to a Queensland Firebirds team that were relentless with their defensive pressure everywhere and speed through the midcourt. Steel’s form has been like a yo yo this season although they did overcome an improved Tactix team last Monday night. The Swifts have been in better form than the Steel and a dominant attacking end led by shooters Caitlin Thwaites/Susan Pratley will get them over the line. Swifts by 14

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Saturday April 26, 4:20 PM  Pulse v Vixens

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Central Pulse v Melbourne Vixens
Returning to the court after a bye, the Pulse have yet to beat Vixens since ANZ Championship netball commenced in 2008. The Vixens have yet to have their bye and it doesn’t come until round 11, their demoltion of the Thunderbirds could be a sign of things to come. A slick and aggressive Vixens team totally outplayed their opponents by a whopping 38 goals. While Pulse would be fresh and confident, recent form by the Vixens has been hard to ignore and they will be simply too good for them in Wellington on Saturday. Vixens by 12

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Sunday April 27, 12:18 PM  Firebirds v Fever

Bookmakers’ line: TBC

Ben says:  Queensland Firebirds v West Coast Fever
The Firebirds got their season back on track with a 15 goal win over NSW Swifts as they jump started their hopes of playing finals netball. Fever have had the week off with a bye, but last time they played was back in round seven and they pulled off an upset win over Firebirds 48-42 in Perth.  In a quirk of the competition draw, the two teams clash again and the fact that Fever have never won against the Firebirds in six previous game in Brisbane will count against them. Firebirds by 5

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Sunday April 27, 7:20 PM  Magic v Thunderbirds

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: By virtue of having played one less game than the Vixens, Magic currently sit second on the ladder to be New Zealand’s best performed ANZ Championship team. They face a Thunderbirds team completely outclassed by the Vixens in what one of their most disappointing performances in club history. Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson has publicly expressed confidence in her playing group to still make the finals despite inconsistent performances in recent weeks, but the Magic at home in Rotorua will be hard to beat. Magic by 7

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Monday April 28, 7:40 PM  Tactix v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Tactix were actually quite competitive against the Steel on Monday night, they actually outscord them  in the second and last quarters. While they once again showed they can be competitive and play good netball, but the Tactix need to be do this across four quarters against a Mystics team that has a virtually fully fit team after missing some key players earlier this season. The Mystics will rebound from their six-goal loss to the Magic with a win on Monday night in Christchurch. Mystics by 8

Recommended bet:  TBC