CROWS, SAINTS ENJOY FAVOURITISM
BY STEPHEN BAKER
PUNTERS have installed the Adelaide Crows as favourites to take out the 2008 NAB Cup.
In the lastest TAB Sportsbet market, the Crows are at $2.90, narrowly ahead of a resurgent St Kilda at $3.10.*
Hawthorn and Essendon are clear outsiders with the latest odds for either team to win the NAB Cup at $4.25 each.
Betting in the two semi-finals reflects punters’ sentiment.
With 77 -25 first half smashing of Carlton, last week, the Hawks are in tip-top shape.
However, Hawthorn has an ordinary record at AAMI Stadium in recent times and with Crawford, Bateman and Campbell Brown watching from the stands, Hawthorn are $2.20 for the win in head-to-head betting.
With the Crows at $1.60 to win, punters looking to make a decent return on their investment might want to consider the Crows over 39.5 points at the more enticing $4.35.
Meanwhile in tonight’s match at the Telstra Dome the Saints seem to look the goods on paper.
Like the Crows, St Kilda are popular with punters at $1.60 in head-to-head betting, while Essendon is at $2.15 for the win.
While the Saints have recalled key playmakers in Riewoldt, Ball and Hayes, they’ve also lost the services of Gehrig to injury, while Hudghton and Koschitzke will be rested.
With both Koschitzke and Gehrig out for this game, the question over where the Saints goalkicking power will come from looms large.
The win over Geelong was a fillup for the club, but it was hardly a resounding victory over a Cats line-up lacking Scarlett, Harley, Bartel, Ablett, Ottens and Wocjinski.
The Bombers upset the Sainters in round four last year and might just be a yard or two quicker over the ground in this match-up.
Davey, Monfries, Jetta, Houli, Reimers and Dempsey have impressed with their early season pace. Lucas showed he’s lost none of his 2007 form and the supergoal specialist might be the difference tonight.
Riewoldt, Ball and Hayes are superstars, but in their first outing for 2008 might be just a bit underdone and King and Gardiner are still getting used to their new footballing homes.
Risk equals return and the Bombers at $5.00 for a win between 20 - 39 points is hard to ignore.
Essendon and St Kilda meet tonight at 7:40pm, while the Crows and Hawthorn clash at 7:10pm Saturday night.
*Odds quoted were correct at time of publication.
