THE BRIEF
Gee that was a tough week. One substandard test match, an even lesser contest between City and Country purely, I think, just to remind us how much we love the real stuff. Sure, the Dragons and Raiders on a Thursday night wouldn’t normally get me excited but after a week off from the club games, I’m having withdrawals so serious, I might even watch a Holden Cup match with more than just a passing interest.
THE BIG FIVE
- $12k on Dragons +3.5 (v Raiders) @ $1.92
- $11k on Raiders -3.5 (v Dragons) @ $1.92
- $6k on Sharks -14 (v Newcastle) @ $1.92
- $2k on Wests Tigers 13+ (v Bulldogs) @ $10
- $2k on Titans +6 (v Roosters) @ $1.92
MULTI CITY
The double header at Suncorp on Saturday night is a big event in Brisbane and it seems punters are predicting a local double. When I say local, I mean Queensland, because what people might not realise is Townsville is about as far from Brisbane as Melbourne is. Anyway, the Cowboys (to beat Storm) into Broncos (to beat Manly) double at $1.77 has attracted some very serious interest. None big enough ($2k) to propel them into the BIG BETS category but boy, have there been plenty of them.
KICKOFF
With both sides near enough to full strength, tonight’s clash should give us a good indication of where both sides are at nearing the halfway mark of the season. Not that we really need that as the ladder can tell us. Basically, the Raiders, while hardly outstanding have been relatively consistent, while the Dragons have been okay mixed with bloody awful and punters aren’t prepared to trust them here. Canberra has been quite clearly the best backed, accounting for more than a third of Ladbrokes total hold on the match but, as you can see in the BIG BETS section, the Dragons certainly have their supporters; even if it is just to get within four points.
It’s by no means being seen as a certainty of a contest but the Raiders will start a clear favourite.
SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR THE EELS
Just what will Parramatta show in their first match since the salary cap penalties were enforced? While the early money seemed to think the Eels would come out firing to prove a point, there’s been a solid push for the underdog Bunnies in the latter part of this week. Starting from scratch on the bottom of the table, they need as many wins as possible to pull off an unlikely finals appearance, but punters are starting to think motivation will be lacking. The Eels, while still a favourite against the horribly out of form Rabbitohs, have been the biggest drifter of the favourites this round. Not that it has been alarming but Souths have subsequently firmed from $2.90 into $2.60.
THE KNIGHTS TALE
The Knights tale this season has been how they’ve provided the punters with plenty of cash and not for any reason that would please the Newcastle faithful. This week it is Cronulla, along with the punters, who will be cashing in. Having beaten the premiership favourite Broncos last round, the boys from the Shire get a crack at the cellar dwellers and a chance for a big boost in for and against. Ladbrokes has barely taken a single bet on Newcastle while the Sharks have been taken as the anchor for near countless multis. I wonder how long it will take the Eels to jump ahead of the Knights again. Just the two weeks, maybe?
FOR PEATS SAKE
Nathan Peats or “The Difference” as he seems to be known among the punters. Yep, having picked up Peats from the toxic Parramatta pond, the Titans are the darling of underdog backers. They’ve clearly been the best backed outsider of the round and look ready to fire against the maybe not so resurgent Roosters on Monday night. $2.60 is still there for the taking for the lads from the Sunshine Strip.