Mitchell Pearce makes his long awaited return and is a reformed man of outstanding character. Or something like that anyway as the sacked Rooster’s skipper takes to the field for the last placed team after serving his ban for an off field indiscretion which can only be described as ‘a dog act’.
No doubt the hapless Knights would be thrilled Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are returning just in time to send them to last place on the ladder.
While the battle of the bottom will be an interesting one for a variety of reasons, it’s not quite as intriguing as the one up the top; the ladder leading Broncos against the fourth placed Sharks.
Will we see Brisbane flex its muscle and pull further clear of another challenger or will the Sharks arrive as an undisputed premiership threat?
And what of Melbourne? Third after routing the Warriors on ANZAC Day, was that performance the exception or the rule?
It’s an fascinating round from many perspectives so let’s tale a look at where the money is headed as it’s fair to say we have seen some large and rather optimistic bets for round nine to date.
THE BIG FIVE
- $10k on Manly (v Cowboys) @ $3.40
- $10k on Warriors (v Dragons) @ $1.55
- $5k on Wests Tigers -2.5 (v Souths) @ $3.90 (pick your own line)
- $5k on Wests Tigers (v Souths) @ $3.15
- $4k on Sharks (v Broncos) @ $2.05
MULTI MAGIC
- $10k on Roosters (v Newcastle) into Cowboys (v Manly) @ $1.56
WORTH A TRY?
- $400 on Roosters scoring between 61 and 70 points (v Newcastle) @ $201
KICKOFF
Football returns to Thursday night which, as i have stated previously, is a wonderful thing as it makes the weekend feel like it has come early. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say for whoever loses this game, they won’t just want the weekend to come early but the end of the season.
Souths have been worse than ordinary and Greg Inglis has conceded his form has played a fair part. So much so he has banned himself from social media because yes, Greg, THAT’S THE PROBLEM!
Punters certainly feel Souths can turn it around with a heap of support for the Bunnies; all no doubt because of GI shutting down his Facebook.
While Souths are clearly the best backed team here and a significantly worse result for Ladbrokes should they win, Wests have had their supporters and they have come with significant bets too.
As you can see above, one punter altered his own line to take $3.40 about the Tigers winning by three or more. And plonked a lazy $5k on it too.
Another wagered the same amount on Wests just winning at $3.15. Less risky but risky nonetheless.
PRICE BOOST FOR BRISBANE
For the first time in more than a month (last time being against the Cowboys on Good Friday), the Broncos are at a reasonable price and, if you think they are simply a cut above Cronulla, that means one thing; VALUE.
There’s been more than a little love for the Sharks at home to close the gap on the ladder leaders but Brisbane remains the best backed of the two teams.
In from $1.80 to $1.73, the Broncos have blown back out to their original quote following the banning of Adam Blair and punters have been more than happy to snap up the once again inflated odds.
RIDE ‘EM COWBOY
Second place on the ladder, second in the premiership market but easily the best backed team of the round, North Queensland looks a lock for multis this weekend.
While one punter had no issue placing $10k on the Sea Eagles, almost all of the remainder of Ladbrokes hold on the match is for the reigning premiers.
BREATHING FIRE
Two weeks without scoring followed by two wins has people asking, are the Dragons back or are the teams they’ve played (Titans and Roosters) just a lot worse?
Certainly there is more than a fair share of punters who think St George can make it three on the trot against the Warriors who, if they bring the same effort and intensity as they did on ANZAC Day, would struggle to beat Balmain under 11’s.
St George Illawarra is the best backed outsider of the round with Ladbrokes and should remain that way despite what i expect will be a late push for Cronulla against Brisbane.
The Warriors, for reasons just outlined, have been dead set friendless. To the point they are akin the guy in the office who eats a tuna and egg sandwich for lunch each day.