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Aussie
Rules
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Centrebet Capers
RUGBY LEAGUE Round two of the NRL saw one of the biggest betting weeks in recent memory with many of the favoured teams backed to win plenty and their opponents virtually unlayable. The trend began on Friday night with one Brisbane punter backing North Queensland to win almost $20,000 at $2.55. Money for the Cowboys continued to roll in. The line shifted from 6 ½ to 4 ½ before some late money for the Bulldogs saw them start at $1.52, giving up 5 ½. The Cowboys held off a spirited Bulldogs fight back to win 24-12. After seeing Newcastle’s dismal first up performance against Melbourne, punters were lining up to get a piece of Canberra. The Raiders were backed off the map, coming in from $1.70 to $1.42. One client placed $20,000 on the ‘Green Machine’ at $1.55. The result never really looked in doubt as the Raiders hammered the lacklustre Knights 39-14. The Manly v Cronulla game saw plenty of money come for the Sea Eagles early in the week, following the suspension of Brett Kimmorley and Danny Nutley. Prior to kick-off the Eagles were backed from $1.57 into $1.43 which included one bet of $20,000. However, at halftime all the money came for the Sharks following the send off of Eagles winger John Hopoate for a sickening high shot on young Cronulla prop Keith Galloway. Manly fought on gamely and managed to score a comfortable 46-20 win in front of their home fans. South Sydney’s return to form was a good result for us with Parramatta heavily supported both at the head to head and conceding the start. The Eels looked awful as Souths gave them a touch up 49-26. This week has seen the betting pick up where it left off last week. Brisbane have been well supported in early betting against the Roosters. The Broncos are receiving 4 ½ points start and already have landed two wagers of $10,000 at that price. Despite the drama and subsequent sacking of ‘bad boy’ John Hopoate, Manly has come in for some support against Melbourne. Including one bet of $20,000 with 6 ½ start. Cronulla meantime, carry one bet of $10,000 at $2.20 to bounce back against Parramatta. With Kimmorley back on deck guiding the ship they must be considered some chance. Interestingly South Sydney are no longer our NRL wooden spoon favourites. It’s the first time since the Bunnies were re-admitted to the comp in 2002 they no longer carry that tag. Newcastle have been the big firmers in spoon betting. The Knights have come in from $34 at the start of the season to $4. One punter must’ve seen the writing on the wall early with a bet of $1,000 on Newcastle at $34. AFL The season proper kicks off tonight following some heavy futures betting in the pre-season. Wizard Cup winners Carlton have come in for plenty of support in premiership betting with two separate wagers of $1,000 being placed at $21. The West Coast may’ve finished runners-up to Blues in the pre-season hit out but have been backed into $6. The Eagles are now third favourite for the title behind Port Adelaide and St Kilda. Betting on the Brownlow Medal has been fairly quiet this week. However, we have taken one wager of $1000 each way on newly appointed Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt. The best betting match in round one is tonight’s season opener at the Gabba. Brisbane embarrassed the Saints the last time these two met in the qualifying final late last year. The first bet we took was $10,000 for Brisbane at $1.85 forcing the Saints out to $1.95. Since then we’ve seen two $5,000 wagers for the St Kilda at that price forcing the betting to be $1.90 each of two. In other betting activity reigning premiers Port Adelaide have been well supported at $1.95 and are now on level terms with the Dockers at $1.90. Carlton on the back on their pre-season performances are into $1.60 against the Kangaroos. Kevin Sheedy appears to be back on the angry pills, firing a broadside at the media. The Bombers take on Melbourne with the Demons backed into $1.42 from an opening quote of $1.50 with one Sydney punter betting $20,000 on a Melbourne victory. RUGBY UNION The singing is continuing in streets of Cardiff after Wales managed to win the Six Nations, Triple Crown and the Grand Slam with victory over Ireland in the final match of the tournament. Wales managed to turn the tables on recent history by winning the Slam for the first time since 1978. The Welsh with their brand of running Rugby managed to teach the other more fancied nations a thing or two. Wales opened the tournament as fourth pick behind England, France and Ireland and were 80/1 to win the Grand Slam. We think a few of the Wales faithful may be shouting the bar for weeks to come. On the back of their achievement the Welsh are now $13 to win the 2007 World Cup. The experts may’ve considered Queensland to be outsiders against the Chiefs due to their terrible record across the Tasman but it wasn’t the case with the punters. The Reds were heavily backed at both +10 ½ and +9 ½ and managed to record their first win in New Zealand in seven long years. In other games the Blues came in for heavy support to defeat the Crusaders at Eden Park and we were happy to take them on. The Crusaders also had their admirers with a $20,000 bet put on the away side to cover to start of -5 ½, which they proceeded to do with ease. The Brumbies meantime, were well supported in the head to head market against the Cats at altitude but despised at the handicap. The Cats on the other hand were well supported to cause an upset or at least to stay in touch. The Brumbies won 34-29 and the punters started lining up to collect. This week there are only four games to bet on with the Reds, Crusaders and Blues all enjoying a weekend off. The Hurricanes host the Stormers in what is proving to be an even betting affair. The Stormers will have to improve 100% on their woeful display last week. The Waratahs are receiving solid support in their home match against the Bulls. Despite their off field dramas the ‘Tahs’ at -10 ½ have had a few small wagers of $3,000 and $5,000 to cover the start. The hapless Sharks host the Brumbies and the punters obviously think the match has already been played. We’ve taken two $10,000 wagers for the Brumbies to cover the -8 ½ start. A shift in the handicap to -9 ½ hasn’t stopped the flow of money with bets of $5,000 and $8,000 coming for the Brumbies to do the business. GOLF Vijay Singh may’ve re-captured the world number one ranking but he failed to get the prize, much to his despair and our relief. The big Fijian was again backed to win over $150,000 in the Bay Hill Invitational, which he appeared to be destined to win after a birdie blitz on the back nine in the final round. Fortunately for us, when it looked as he was headed for a play off with American Kenny Perry, Vijay put his second shot, seven iron into the water. The shot handed the title to Perry and the cash to us. At this weeks Players Championship Tiger Woods is a firm favourite at $5.50 but the money has come for Vijay Singh and Ernie Els. Both players have been backed to win in excess of $150,000. The same punter has also taken a liking to Darren Clarke $41, Thomas Bjorn $101 and Miguel Angel Jimenez $101 to win a similar amount. Aussie Adam Scott is considered a $34 chance to defend the title he won last year. While in-form Irishman Padraig Harrington may be the value bet at $21 considering he’s been runner-up in this event over the past two years. CRICKET The Australian domestic season came to a thrilling climax with New South Wales claiming the Pura Cup with a one wicket win at the Gabba. The interest in the game meant it was one of the biggest betting matches in domestic cricket for some time. Queensland were well backed to win the game and the title. (The Bulls only needed a draw to win the competition.) One Victorian punter thought Queensland would win easily and placed $50,000 on the Bulls at $1.40 to take the title. We also took numerous bets on the game ending in a draw with reports of bad weather for the first two days. The Blues remained friendless with little or no money coming for them to win. New South Wales were set 183 to win in the final innings and at 4 for 158 looked set to record a comfortable victory. However, a collapse of five wickets for just three runs turned the match on its head. The Blues needed 22 runs with just Bracken and MacGill at the crease. Somehow they managed it with MacGill slogging the winning runs to send Queensland to its fifth consecutive defeat in domestic cricket finals. New Zealand were saved by the rain in the 2nd Test against Australia in Wellington and so were we. Despite money for the draw on the first two days there was plenty of money for Australia on day four with over $30,000 placed on at $1.65. When play was abandoned on day five, New Zealand were in all sorts of bother at 3 for 48 in its second dig after following on. In hindsight Ricky Ponting may’ve batted too long in the 1st innings to allow Shane Warne to get his half century. Early reports suggest the weather may also play a part in the 3rd and final Test in Auckland when it gets underway on Saturday. The market had hardly been opened when two bets of $10,000 were placed on the draw at $2.80. However, we are expecting plenty of money for Australia before play starts. Prices will be updated at session breaks throughout the Test match. Elsewhere India and Pakistan play the 3rd and final Test in Bangalore with the home side leading 1-nil. One of our Indian punters has backed the draw at $2.40. We’ve also seen money for the India at the same quote. Prices will be updated prior to play each day. ENTERTAINMENT Former Socceroos star Mark Bosnich has done some silly things in his time but none sillier than agreeing to participate in a celebrity boxing bout that the British Broadcasting Corporation will screen on Good Friday. Bosnich will trade punches with British disc jockey Spoony in the fourth such charity slugfest, with three Amateur Boxing Association judges counting their cards if the fight goes the full distance of three 90-second rounds. Bosnich is Centrebet's favourite, if only because the goalkeeper is taller, heavier and wider than his radio presenter opponent. Kostya Tszyu would not be shaking in his boots at the prospect of facing Bosnich but the Australian soccer legend should be able to bloody the nose of a Pom who plays dance tunes for a living. Brisbane is odds on to win the second series of My Restaurant Rules as problems continue to dog their competitors. Sydney is in hot water over pay slips, Adelaide remains unpopular with viewers, while Melbourne and Perth are up for eviction. Right now it looks like Brisbane couple Todd Farr and Francesca de Valence will triumph so long as she refrains from singing. Vocally challenged Francesca is called the Amity Dry of My Restaurant Rules in the Centrebet office. We are down to the final five in the second edition of Dancing with the Stars and Seven spunk Tom Williams is Centrebet's overwhelming favourite. Derryn Hinch would be a million-to-one shot to win the show if the public did not have a greater say than the four judges. That is why Centrebet is taking no chances with him. The same goes for Home and Away kid Jason Smith. The X Factor does not look like it will match Australian Idol or Big Brother in the rating stakes but its audience should grow as the live performance programs go to air. Centrebet opened its contestant book with Jacob Butler in pole position and the South Australian rock singer is not disappointing. Butler hails from the Kate Ceberano stable. She is odds on to be the winning manager. Until next week, good punting. For further information contact Gerard Daffy at Centrebet on 08 89555800 or centrebet@centrebet.com.
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