2014 ANZ Championships – Round 3 Tips

Further blowout victories in Round 2 have seen a number of sides stake their claim as ANZ Championship finals and premiership contenders in 2014. Will Round 3 action help sort out the netball pecking order? Ben Carbonaro returns to preview all of the fixtures.

Results

Round 2: 2 units bet, return of 0.00 units

2014: 4 units bet, return of 0.00 units

 

Round 3 Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Sunday March 16, 11:18 AM Fever v Tactix

Bookmakers’ line: Fever -13.5

Ben says:  For three quarters against the Vixens last week, the Fever were completely outclassed until they outscored them in the last 19-11. They will need to be on their game against the Tactix on Sunday because although they have struggled for much of the competition’s history, they have shown significant improvement in their first game. Both of these teams have a towering goal shooter in Caitlin Bassett (Fever) and Mwai Kumwenda (Tactix), so the defensive ends will need to concentrate on cutting off feeds from first to last whistle. The Tactix have yet to win in Australia and this will continue because I’m more than confident that Fever will completely outclass them. Fever by 21

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Fever -13.5 at $1.90 (Centrebet)

 

Sunday March 16, 12:18 PM Vixens v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line: Vixens -7.5

Ben says:  The Vixens have been in superb touch, winning their first two games by 24 goals against Mystics and 9 goals against Fever respectively. It would have been more had Vixens coach Simone McKinnis not made the decision to rest shooter Karyn Bailey and defender Geva Mentor against Fever. Bailey was given the start at goal shooter and made the most of her opportunity, shooting 35 goals at 83 per cent accuracy. Firebirds were in front for much of the first half, until Thunderbirds came from behind to defeat them in a true show of character. The last time these two sides met was in an extremely physical preliminary final and it should be more of the come Sunday.  Vixens by 10

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Sunday March 16, 7:20 PM Mystics v Pulse

Bookmakers’ line: Mystics +9.5

Ben says:  During the pre-season, many had tipped the Northern Mystics to be big improvers after an indifferent season last year, winning just one game. Injuries and general inconsistency have been the reasons behind the Mystics bad start to this season, including a 14 goal loss to Magic, where goal attack Maria Tutaia struggled to have an impact. The Pulse were too good for the Steel last week, but it could be said that they couldn’t find their ruthless streak as they struggled to maintain possession and gave away a significant amount of ball. They will still be too good for a Mystics team that have yet to find any momentum early in season 2014.  Pulse by 13

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

 

Monday March 17, 7:18 PM Thunderbirds v Swifts

Bookmakers’ line:  Thunderbirds -5.5 to -6.5

Ben says:  A win over the Swifts will see Thunderbirds create a new competition record of 16 consecutive wins, eclipsing the record the one set by the Firebirds when they won the ANZ Championship premiership three years ago. Both teams feature quality players in all areas of the court and with both teams coming off a wins in round two, this could be the match of the round. Thunderbirds came back from behind to beat Firebirds in Brisbane in a great show of character and Swifts made the trip across to New Zealand where they accounted for a more than competitive Tactix outfit. Thunderbirds by 2

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Swifts +6.5 at $1.87 (TAB Sportsbet)

 

 

Monday March 17, 7:40 PM Magic v Steel

Bookmakers’ line:  Magic -12.5 to -13.5

Ben says:  For a team that were tipped to not be as dominant as in previous seasons due to the loss of international quality stars Irene van Dyk and Laura Langman, Magic have defied the critics with two strong wins to open their season. In an impressive 14 goal win over the Mystics last Monday night, Magic captain Casey Kopua was a shining light in defence; down the other end English import shooter Jo Harten was in fine form. Steel went to the Pulse and although a loss is a loss, they pushed them at different stages in what was a positive for a team yet to win a game this season. Magic will continue their dominance over the Steel and make it 10 wins from 14 games against them. Magic by 8

Recommended bet:  1 unit on Steel +13.5 at $1.87 (TAB Sportsbet)