2014 ANZ Championship Tips – Round 8

Halfway through the 2014 ANZ Championship season, only one win separates third from eighth. Will any major contenders establish themselves in Round 8? Ben Carbonaro previews the weekend of action.

Results

Round 7: 3 units bet, gross return of 1.90 units, net loss of 1.10 units

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

 

Round 8 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday April 19, 2:18 PM  Vixens v Thunderbirds

Bookmakers’ line:  Vixens -7.5 to -8.5

Ben says: The Vixens came from behind with a very strong last quarter to beat the Swifts by six goals last Sunday. Playing what was virtually her last game in Sydney having announced her retirement earlier in the week, Catherine Cox’s injection into the game at half-time proved to be a masterstroke. Thunderbirds are coming off a bye and after a strong start to the season, they’ve hit a bit of a roadblock with a couple of losses that included just going down to West Coast Fever in Perth prior to their week off. Vixens have been in super form of late and will be hard to beat at home in a rare Saturday home game for them. Vixens by 7

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday April 20, 12:18 PM  Firebirds v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line:  Firebirds +3.5

Ben says:  An inability to control the game for four quarters is what cost Swifts the game against Vixens last Sunday. In control for much of the first three quarters, they buckled under immense pressure that was applied by Vixens in defence and made several costly turnovers before going down by six goals. Despite being the team that was fancied by many, the Firebirds went down to the Fever with a poor last quarter that was highlighted by some silly errors as captain Laura Geitz put it. In this game, it could come down to how well the Swifts defensive end can hold off the Firebirds shooters because they have been held to less than 10 goals in four of their eight last quarters they have played. Swifts by 3

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday April 20, 7:20 PM  Magic v Mystics

Bookmakers’ line: Magic -8.5 to -10.5

Ben says:  Fresh off a bye, the Magic sit in second position on the ladder by virtue of having played one less game then Vixens. Prior to the bye, they had their perfect start to the season dented by the Pulse. With the score locked at 45 goals each, the match went into extra time and Pulse held their nerve to come away with the win. While the Mystics just got over the Steel, the team oriented style of play instilled in the players from coach Julie Fitzgerald will be too strong for the Mystics. Magic by 9

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Monday April 21, 7:40 PM  Tactix v Steel

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  The Tactix have continued to play good netball in patches and actually show some sort of consistency during games. Take last weekend for example, where they held sway against the Mystics until the final two minutes but would be able to take some confidence from just how gritty and well-tuned they were out on court. A similar thing happened to the Steel, they were in front for much of the game before being blitzed by the Pulse who piled on goals.  This particular game is very evenly matched on paper but I’ve tipped the Steel to simply be too good for Tactix. Steel by 12

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Bye:  Fever, Pulse