PUNTING SPECTATOR: Storm alert

So all of a sudden everybody hates Melbourne Storm!
 
Well, that suits me fine, because we are now going to get inflated odds for Sunday's NRL final. The Storm have been favourites since betting opened last October, yet you can get as much as $2.15, all on the back of their captain Cameron Smith being out. I know he is an important player, one of the best in the world, but Melbourne found a way to overcome his loss last week and I reckon they will deliver the goods in the grand final. Cooper Cronk did a superb job directing traffic last week, and I am also going to throw something on both Cronk and Michael Crocker to win the Churchill Medal for best on the ground. Melbourne have won four of their last five against Manly, including both games this season, and looking at the likely match-ups, Melbourne look to have more fire power in the scoring department.
 
I can't wait until Sunday evening to have my first sports bet for the weekend, so to fill the void, I have done the form for the motoGP on Sunday afternoon. Under normal circumstances, betting on motor bikes would be barred, but what is a man supposed to do with only one game of footy on? Anyway, Valentino Rossi wrapped up the World Championship in Japan last week, so I think that puts Australia's Casey Stoner in the box seat to return to the winners list at Phillip Island. Rossi has won the last five races, but Stoner was in a winning position in two of those before he fell off. Perhaps I should whip down there and super glue him on, just to make sure! Stoner will be desperate to win on Australian soil, I am heading off now to take the $2.75.

So it's go Melbourne and go India as well.

Some say it's unpatriotic, some say it's traitorous. I say get on. India are absolute certainties to win the upcoming test series against Australia. Our new spinner, untried at this level, is injured and it looks pretty suburban outfit that will take on the locals over four tests. Given the way the previous series was played and the apparent vulnerability of the Aussies to spin, I reckon the Indian curators will play a big part in this series. India at $2.25 is better than bank interest. And lately, it looks a heck of a lot more secure.

Good luck punters and remember, let's be careful out there.