ANZ Championships – Round 9 Tips

With the Thunderbirds and Vixens both losing last weekend, the top four has become quite congested, with first through to fourth each having lost two games to date. The Magic and Firebirds continue to win but made no headway or fourth spot – they may yet rue slow starts to the season. On the punting front, Three Feet Radio’s own Ben Carbonaro won both of his two recommended bets last week to progress to a very impressive 14-4 against the spread in 2012 – much to the ongoing delight of my wallet. He returns to give his thoughts on Round 9.

 

Results for Round 8 tips

Round 8: 2 units bet, 2 winners, return of 3.80 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = +90%

2012 total:  18 units bet, 14 winners, return of 26.25 units, Profit on Turnover (PoT) = +46%

Our 2011 introductory discussion of how netball line betting works and what to expect from this column

Once again this year, for the purposes of this weekly column, we will only recommend a bet where Ben’s opinion differs from that of bookmakers by at least 3.5 goals.

Here are Ben’s thoughts on Round 9 of the 2012 ANZ Championships:

 

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

 

Sunday May 27, 10:10 AM West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds

Fever:  2-6 (ninth on ladder), 1-2 at home

Firebirds:  4-4 (sixth on ladder), 1-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:  TBC

Ben says:  Queensland have started to show the same sort of form that helped them to win last year's ANZ Championship premiership but were tested by an unpredictable Southern Steel side last week. Prior to this season, a visiting team could almost lock in a win against the Fever in Perth, but they have improved so much this season that each week no one can underestimate Norma Plummer's youthful team. The Fever will be competitive in this game, but I am tipping the Firebirds by 4.

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Sunday May 27, 2:20 PM Melbourne Vixens v NSW Swifts

Vixens:  6-2 (second on ladder), 2-1 at home

Swifts:  5-2 (fourth on ladder), 0-2 away

Bookmakers’ line:   TBC

Ben says:  The Vixens have lost their past two games and that includes an inconsistent performance against Northern Mystics, who are starting to find some good form to make a serious charge towards this year's finals series. The Swifts have won five in a row, but they have struggled to win away despite winning at home no matter if a game is in Sydney or Newcastle. Melbourne will be looking to rebound and reclaim the tag as the best Australian based ANZ Championship team outright as they currently share it with Adelaide Thunderbirds. Vixens by 5

Recommended bet:    TBC

 

Sunday May 27, 7:20 PM Northern Mystics v Canterbury Tactix

Mystics:  6-2 (third on ladder), 2-1 at home

Tactix:1-7 (tenth on ladder), 0-4 away

Bookmakers’ line:    TBC

Ben says:  Northern made the headlines for their innovative defensive strategy that involved a rugby union style line-out lift as Anna Harrison was lifted up to block shots by her fellow defender and it helped them to a rare four goal win on Australia soil over the Melbourne Vixens. Things continue to get worse for Canterbury, who are becoming the whipping boys of the competition and this was reinforced as they went down to Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic by a whopping 23 goals.  Mystics by 15

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Monday May 28, 7:40 PM Southern Steel v Central Pulse

Steel:  2-5 (eighth on ladder), 1-3 at home

Pulse:  3-5 (seventh on ladder), 0-3 away

Bookmakers’ line:   TBC

Ben says:  Central Pulled off one of the biggest upsets in competition history in Wellington last Monday night, holding on to defeat the Adelaide Thunderbirds by a single goal in an absolute heart stopper. That win helped them to once again prove that they are no longer the competition's cellar dweller and realistically, they could keep win six games up on three last year if they can beat the Steel on Monday night. The Steel played also played in a thriller, going down to Queensland by one goal but have the reputation of pulling off upsets so this game will be between two evenly matched sides. Pulse by 2

Recommended bet:   TBC

 

Bye: Adelaide Thunderbirds, Waikato/ BOP Magic

 

Thanks to Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo