Punting Spectator: The big one

Welcome back punters, enjoying the swings and roundabouts? Win on the NRL one week, AFL the next, then back to the NRL. Personally I'm getting sick of it. This week we'll try and nail both codes, throw in a little golf and find a Logie winner to boot. That should cure us of the shakes this weekend.

Let's start with the NRL this week seeing as it was this code that fed the kids last weekend. This weeks prices are from Lasseters Sportsbook.

Team	Price
Melbourne Storm	1.36
Manley Sea Eagles	3.25
Parramatta Eels	1.38
Gold Coast Titans	3.15
St George-Illawarra	1.70
Nth Qld Cowboys	2.20
Penrith Panthers	2.31
Sydney Roosters	1.64
Canberra Raiders	1.61
West Tigers	2.38
NZ Warriors	1.58
Bulldogs	2.45
Newcastle Knights	2.15
Brisbane Broncos	1.72
South Sydney	2.50
Cronulla Sharks	1.55

I hate tipping favourites to cover big margin spreads, so I was quietly chuffed when Manly and the Titans ran in try after try against legless opposition. But it's back to earth Buzz because it looks extremely tough this week with the standouts well concealed. Everybody seems to be taking pot shots at Souths so I may as well slide into the queue and say that the Sharks will give it to Souths on Monday night. One side is a genuine premiership contender and the other mob is 0-4, yet we only have to give them 4½ start. Sssh, not all at once.

I wouldn't mind leaving it at that to be perfectly honest but maybe I can add a stand-by bet as well. Canberra is at home to the West Tigers on Sunday. Teams hate going to play in Canberra at this time of the year, its cold and miserable and even K-Rudd has bailed out. The Raiders hold one of the best home ground advantages in the competition. Currently they are being quoted at about $1.67 to win this game, but my mail is that, although named, Robbie Farrah is likely to miss for the Tigers. They were a rabble without him on Monday night and he misses again, the $1.67 is "overs”.

In between flicking between live games of AFL, NRL and Sky Channel over the past couple of weekends, I have stumbled on the Super 14. I must admit to never having a bet on rugby but it seems a terrible waste to let a live game of anything pass without some sort of financial gesture to the sport. Here are this weeks prices.

Team	Price
Highlanders	3.20
Sharks	1.37
Crusaders	1.04
Lions	12.00
Blues	1.31
ACT Brumbies	3.60
Western Force	1.80
NSW Waratahs	2.05
Stomers	1.21
Cheetahs	4.65
Bulls	1.64
Hurricanes	2.30

Over the past month I have been fervently trying to work out the rules to this sport and have come to the conclusion that there are none. Well, that suits me fine. As soon as the last AFL game finishes on Saturday night, and just before the Masters kicks off, there is a small window of opportunity to become involved. The Stormers are home to the Cheetahs. I have been watching the Cheetahs, and although they have been towelled up by the Crusaders and the Sharks, they went OK in their other assignments. They played well to beat the Reds last week, and I think they can definitely get within the 13 point start on offer against the Stormers.

I can't wait for the 'big one' on May 5th, can you? Yes, it's Logies night and if the bride insists that I have to sit and watch it with her again than at least a bet on the Gold Logie will help us get through the night. I've done the form and Kate Ritchie is an absolute moral to go back to back. She is a $1.40 pop, but on the back of that impressive victory last year, and with lovely Kate to get a lot of sympathy votes upon the recent demise of Sally from Home and away, I will not hear of her getting beaten.

Now the AFL. It has been a touch scratchy of late but "give up” never won a race. Here are this weeks prices.

Team	Price
Essendon	2.90
Western Bulldogs	1.43
St Kilda	4.00
Geelong	1.26
Kangaroos	1.29
Melbourne	3.75
Sydney	1.19
West Coast	5.00
Port Adelaide	1.46
Brisbane	2.80
Hawthorn	1.47
Adelaide	2.75
Carlton	4.00
Collingwood	1.26
Freemantle	1.16
Richmond	5.50

Let's start on a positive note on Friday night. The Doggies are quoted at $1.50 to beat the Bombers. They are unbeatable. Take the two's on or anchor them in a multi with, either Sydney or Collingwood, or even both for the treble. That's at least $2.35, mmm tasty.

The Saints were miserable last week and back up here against the Cats. Not much notice is being taken of the Cats backline at the moment but it could be a touch vulnerable, especially against St.Kilda. Might be worth a sniff at the 24 ½ . There doesn't appear to too much value over the rest of the round however one outsider with a fluker's hope are the Tigers in Perth on Sunday. Not sure they can win but happy to have a spec at $5.50 and more than a spec with the 6 goals start at the line.

I know the Masters is under way and I refuse to bet against the greatest sportsman in the universe, well on this planet at least, but there are a couple of exotics that I like.

The winning score might not be flash this year. Despite the fact that the leaders are 4 under overnight, the tougher course and some poor weather on the weekend might see the scores drift. Try some of these on as well. Top Yank without Woods, Freddie Couples and Justin Leonard at the odds. Daniel Chopra for top debutante and/or Top European, and Justin Rose for Top Pom. All nice odds and you can still cheer home Eldred.

Have a great weekend and hey, remember let's be careful out there.