2014 ANZ Championships – Round 14 Tips

With only one rounds left before the finals of the 2014 ANZ Championship, the top four is all but assured. However, the composition of the top four is far from settled. Ben Carbonaro previews Round 14, including the all-important clash between the Firebirds and Magic.

Results

Round 13: 4 units bet, gross return of 5.66 units, net profit of 1.66 units

2014: 32 units bet, gross return of 36.05 units, net profit of 4.05 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 13%

2012-2014: 91 units bet, gross return of 103.64 units, net profit of 12.64 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 14%

 

Round 14 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Saturday May 31, 4:20 PM  Steel v Vixens

Bookmakers’ line:  Vixens -9.5

Ben says: In one of their most polished performances of the season, the Vixens  built a lead during each quarter before a barn storming final quarter set up a huge 21-goal demolition of Thunderbirds. With Madi Robinson in devastating form at wing attack and the Bianca Chatfield/Geva Mentor defensive combination shutting down Thunderbirds attacking end, premiership success certainly doesn’t look out of reach. The Steel just got up to beat the Tactix in what was a very close game, considering both teams have had form so inconsistent it’s been like a yo yo. In their last game of their regular season heading into finals, I think the Vixens will simply be too good against a Steel team that has played good netball in patches but has lacked consistency.  Vixens by 13

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Vixens -9.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday June 1, 11:48 AM  Thunderbirds v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: It’s been a season to forget for the Thunderbirds as their premiership defence started well with three consecutive wins before things came tumbling down for them.  Some injuries to key players and some inconsistencies on court have cost them dearly. The Tactix once again have been the ANZ Championship’s under achievers by means of playing good netball but not able to do it across a full four quarters in a game. It will be the final time that former New Zealand Silver Ferns head and assistant Leigh Gibbs is in charge of Tactix, but I feel the Thunderbirds will be too strong at home where they will finish their season with a dominant win.Thunderbirds by 15

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Sunday June 1, 7:20 PM  Mystics v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: After something of an unfilled season, the Mystics finally showed what they were made of with a consistent four quarter performance against the Fever. Everything clicked across the court for them, but had this been happening earlier in the season, they may have made finals. In a solid win that secured them a finals spot for the first time since 2011, the Swifts pushed the Magic from second to fourth. On the back of that, they should make their final regular season trip across the Tasman a successful one. Swifts by 6

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Monday June 2, 5:48 PM  Fever v Pulse

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: Like they have in so many games this season, the Fever once again started well against the Mystics only to end up losing  after having a number of opportunities to remain competitive. The Pulse were looking to head across the Tasman to the Gold Coast and push into the final four with a win over the Queensland Firebirds, but it wasn’t to be. From first to last whistle, the Firebirds controlled proceedings and gave an endless supply of ball to towering Jamaican goal shooter Romelda Aiken. In what will be former Australian coach Norma Plummer’s last game in charge of the Fever after three years at the helm, I’m tipping her charges can finally put things together and making it four wins for the season in a thriller. Fever by 3

Recommended bet:  TBC

 

Monday June 2, 7:40 PM  Magic v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says: In what was certainly something of a huge upset that played with the finals calculations as the Magic dropped from second to fourth after Swifts started strongly before building what was to become an impressive win. The Firebirds blew the Pulse out of the water in what became an extremely one sided contest on the Gold Coast. They can draw motivation from last year’s minor semi-final against Magic when they won what many thought was the final they couldn’t win in New Zealand, but they silenced the critics in a three goal thriller. They should just get over the line, but just like the last time these two teams met in that semi-final, it could go right down to the wire. Firebirds by 5

Recommended bet:  TBC