2014 ANZ Championships – Semi Final Tips

We’ve reached the semi-finals of the 2014 ANZ Championship, with the Swifts and Magic meeting in a sudden death encounter, while the Vixens and Firebirds vie for a Grand Final berth. Ben Carbonaro previews the opening weekend of the finals series.

Results

Round 14: 2 units bet, gross return of 1.90 units, net loss of 0.10 units

2014: 34 units bet, gross return of 37.95 units, net profit of 3.95 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 12%

2012-2014: 93 units bet, gross return of 105.54 units, net profit of 12.54 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = 13%

 

Semi- Final Tips (please note: all times are the local time for the home side)

Sunday June 8, 2:18 PM  Swifts v Magic

Bookmakers’ line:  Swifts -6.5

Ben says:  Last Sunday, Swifts went down to the Mystics in what was rated by some as one of the biggest upsets in an extremely open and unpredictable ANZ Championship season. Magic were on the receiving end of a gutsy Queensland Firebirds team who put out an extremely composed and strong defensive performance to set themselves up for finals in the best possible way. Although finals in any sport have added intensity than that of a regular season game, the Magic will have the round 13 clash where they went down to the Swifts at the same venue in what a start a disappointing two losses to finish before finals. The loss also saw them slide from second to fourth position on the ladder after occupying second place for much of the season. What could be the deciding factor in this semi could be which defensive can best contain the respective shooting ends, but for me I feel Swifts will come away with a hard fought win to book a place in the preliminary final. Swifts by 8

Recommended bet:  Nil

 

Monday June 9, 5:48 PM  Vixens v Firebirds

Bookmakers’ line:  Vixens -1.5

Ben says:  Just like the Swifts, Vixens were on the receiving end of an upset when they went down to the Mystics by a single goal in Auckland last Sunday. The Firebirds continued the poor end of the season for the Magic as they put out a gutsy performance that was highlighted by strong defensive pressure to win in Hamilton last Monday night. It’s locked at one win each between these two years, with Firebirds winning in the final seconds by a goal back in round three and in round six, Vixens turned it around with an impressive 12 goal win. On paper, both teams have good strength everywhere but just how the Vixens are able to restrict towering Jamaican shooting Romelda Aiken, captain Laura Geitz in defence and also their wing players (Verity Simmons/Gabi Simpson) will have a huge bearing on the game. I’m confident that the Vixens will book themselves into a third Grand Final appearance. Vixens by 2

Recommended bet:  Nil