Bookie has Dogs barking early

[GVGjr]

Good article on the Hun

Dogs are Barking Early (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21176885%255E19742,00.html)

Bookie has Dogs barking early
06 February 2007 Herald-Sun
Michael Manley

SPORTS bookmaker Norm Short says a Victorian team can capture the 2007 NAB Cup and has the Western Bulldogs as early favourite.

In an open market, Short has the Western Bulldogs at $6, with Geelong second favourite at $7 for the pre-season cup, which begins on February 23.

Short is the first sports bookmaker to put up odds on the pre-season tournament.

Victorian teams have dominated the competition in recent years, with St Kilda, Carlton and Geelong winning the past three pre-season cups.

"I think a couple of the early matches will be one-sided, with several teams either not ready or not interested," Short said.

Short said the Western Bulldogs should win Round 1 as they play Sydney, whose pre-season form is always terrible.

"Geelong and Western Bulldogs are on the same side of the draw, and I am confident one of them will get through to the grand final," he said.

"Western Bulldogs appear to be up and running in their training, and Geelong always plays well in the pre-season competition."

The shortest-priced interstate team is Fremantle at $8, with Adelaide and Port Adelaide both at $9.

Reigning daytime premiers West Coast Eagles are at $10.

"West Coast play Fremantle in Round 1, and the winner of that then has to come to Melbourne. It's a tough ask," Short said.

Short, who has the Kangaroos at $16, said they represented good value.

NORM SHORT'S NAB CUP MARKET:

$6 Western Bulldogs

$7 Geelong

$8 Fremantle

$9 Adelaide, Port Adelaide

$10 Melbourne, West Coast

$12 Hawthorn

$13 Essendon, St Kilda

$16 Kangaroos

$17 Carlton, Richmond

$25 Collingwood

$35 Brisbane Lions

$41 Sydney

[alwaysadog]

Not really sure what the basis is for posting this early market. I couldn't be sure they are not trying to entice some initial money at the longer odds.

I'd be looking at one of the bounce teams desperate to prove something. Rocket doesn't signal his punches, as we found out last year rememeber the Tiges pumped us then just before the first round Rocket declared us cherry ripe and we blew them off the park. My best hope is a better showing overall and a some clear signs of developoment from the fringe players.

["Outstanding"]

Let's not be peaking in March/April. The money for the winner is always welcome, but form too early in the season is too hard to maintain.

[W W Biscuit]

It's a tired old chestnut, but I'll roll it out again: The Doggies have not PLAYED in a senior Grand Final - night or day - in my lifetime. I'll be forty in a couple of years. I couldn't possibly say with a straight face that I didn't want the Dogs in peak form during the NAB Cup. Operation Silverware is getting desperate.