THE BRIEF
The rugby league world had Thursday to take a breath after the Maroons’ Origin success and can now re-load for a weekend of club football where the biggest question is ‘who is backing up from the big game?’
Certainly the conjecture over who will and won’t play is having an impact on betting with a little less interest than usual on this round to date. No doubt, punters will make their plays closer to game time but that’s not to say there isn’t a distinct money trail leading into some matches.
THE BIG FIVE
- $10K on Panthers (v Souths) @ $1.32
- $1K (line/total points double) on Panthers -8.5 & Over 39.5 pts @ $3.40
- $1K on Bulldogs 1-12 (v Broncos) @ $3.50
- $3K Raiders (v Titans) @ $1.83
- $1K Raiders 1-12 (v Titans) @ $3.40
MULTI MAGIC
- $8k on Panthers (-10 line) into Dragons (-10 line) into Collinwood (win) @ $7
PANTHER PRIDE
Penrith is near on a good thing in the eyes of punters tonight against a Souths’ side which is almost cast. Reynolds is obviously out but the side in general has been failing to fire and, having opened $3, Reynolds’ origin injury has them out to $3.45, while Penrith has been $1.40 into $1.33. The Panthers have also been heavily backed at the line which has blown out from 6 to 10 in the past couple of days.
SUPER MARIO MATCH UP
Knight v Dragons – I am sure I played this one on the super Nintendo in the 90’s. This is for real though and, in the eyes of punters, the Dragons are almost certain to conquer. Unlike on level 8 of Super Mario Bros when I saved the Princess by taking down the Dragon. I digress, largely because this appears of lackluster match up, regardless the line betting has been the most popular with this one. Neither side has moved much from its opening mark of $1.30 and $3.40 respectively but the line has moved from 7.5 out to 10. Dragons in a canter for mine. Take the head to head price through multis and the line straight out. Just for fun.
SHARK BAIT
Cronulla can keep its distance at the top of the ladder here with what looks like it should be a regulation win over the Warriors. Somewhat surprisingly though, some Ladbrokes customers think this is where the upset might eventuate with a little support for the Warriors seeing them move from $3.50 into $3.30 and the Sharks out from $1.30 to $1.35. The line hasn’t moved and, while I think Cronulla will continue it’s winning ways, I can see the philosophy behind backing the outsiders in this one.
FLIP OF THE COIN
If there were doubts on the last match, good luck heading in here with any confidence. Who backs up from Origin is the main reason for caution here with the odds currently $1.92 each of two. Bulldogs opened a narrow favourite but a smattering of additional support for the Broncos has squared up the market. When we say, toss of the coin game, that could be the best way to decide who to back in this one.
CANBERRA THE CASH COW
The best backed team of the weekend by a long way, punters cannot get enough of the Raiders who at one point were a narrow outsider and now find themselves a clear favourite. They’ve been $1.95 into $1.80 while the Titans have drifted from $1.85 to beyond the even money mark. The line is pretty skinny here at 1.5 but the head to head price is still attractive in terms of the Green Machine.
TAMING THE TIGERS
Yet again, the question marks over who backs up from Origin has resulted in very little betting action here with punters waiting to see before they make a play for either side. The Storm have eased ever so narrowly from $1.20 to $1.22 while the Tigers have held their big opening quote of $4.50. The line also hasn’t moved remaining 12.5.
ANNUAL LEAVE
Coming off a bye into Monday night football, the Cowboys must feel like they’ve been away for the summer, it has been that long since they played. The flip side is, they’ll be fresh as a daisy to take on Manly and, given how the Sea Eagles have been going of late, they’ll still be pretty fresh after the match. The premiers remain at their opening quote of $1.15 with Manly $5.50 out to $5.75. The line hasn’t budged from 15.5 but expect a bit more action here closer to kickoff.