Super Saturday for odds
It’s a Saturday of sport bigger than Ben-hur: who do the odds like in the banner AFL and NRL clashes?
AFL
WESTERN BULLDOGS: $1.58 GEELONG CATS: $2.34 MARVEL STADIUM, 7.25PM
The eternal rivalry of Dogs and Cats continues at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, with sixth versus 10th.
Western Bulldogs’ fivegame win streak was busted by Gold Coast at TIO Stadium last week, while reigning champ Geelong has dropped three straight.
Despite a tough few weeks, the Cats are still ranked second in the AFL for points per game at 99.2, but have dropped to 12th in defence, while surrendering 84 a game. The Dogs offence ranks 13th in the league, scoring 77.9 points a contest, but third for defence (allowing only 72.9).
Only one of Geelong’s past four at Marvel has hit the points total over of this game, while the Dogs defence has seen its past five Marvel games hit under this game’s total as well.
TOTAL POINTS - UNDER 170.5: $1.75
Marcus Bontempelli is right in the running for the Brownlow and has gone for 25+ touches in four straight games and topped 30 in two of those as well.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI - 25+ DISPOSALS: $1.50
Tom Stewart stood tall last week with 31 disposals and will have plenty to deal with again as the Cats try to contain a rampant Bulldogs midfield who pepper their inside-50 like a
Grandpa seasoning his veggies.
TOM STEWART - OVER 24.5 DISPOSALS: $1.60
The Cats’ injury list is longer than a Motley Crue rider, while the Dogs have looked impressive over the past six weeks, especially when playing at Marvel.
But Geelong has won 12 straight over teams ranked in the top eight, and the underdog has won the past three games between these two.
If the Bulldogs drag the Cats into an ugly, slug-it-out contest they could win, but Geelong still has Cameron and Tom Hawkins up forward. If Geelong gets off to a flyer, it should cover the line (if not win) in a tight one.
BEST BET: GEELONG +9.5 $1.90
NRL
SHARKS: $1.56 BRONCOS: $2.42 POINTSBET STAD, 7.35PM
Cronulla enters this one far less impacted by the events of
Origin on Wednesday night at the Adelaide Oval, which undoubtedly swings the odds in the Sharks’ favour.
The past three match-ups between these two teams has also seen the total points under hit.
TOTAL POINTS - UNDER 43.5: $1.88
CRONULLA TO SHOW OFF CREDENTIALS
Nicho Hynes will enjoy being back in an environment that understands how to maximise his skillset, after an Origin debut that didn’t quite go to plan. That’s because there seemingly was no plan from the NSW coaching staff.
The Sharks are still a couple of middle forwards away from full strength, but should take advantage of a Broncos side struggling for club form (and heavily represented in the State of Origin), while Ronaldo Mulitalo has 19 tries in 18 games at Shark Park.
RONALDO MULITALO - ANYTIME TRY SCORER: $1.62
WEARY BRONCOS
Before last weekend, the Broncos had lost three of its past four and the side’s average form was flying a little under the radar. That’s understandable, given how quick the side jumped out of the blocks.
It’s firming that four Origin reps will step up for this game, just not Selwyn Cobbo, but it would be unreasonable to not expect some lethargy from the side in this one. With that in mind, it might be a chance for Kotoni Staggs to score his first try since round eight.
KOTONI STAGGS - ANYTIME TRY SCORER: $3
WHO WINS?
Despite the Broncos beating Cronulla in eight of the past 10 match-ups, the Sharks have won their past five after a bye and should be too strong.
BEST BET: CRONULLA SHARKS -5.5, $1.93
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