Ghost Dog
14-11-2012, 10:06 AM
http://www.sportal.com.au/bz-opinion-display/kangaroos-written-off-once-again-208604
Kangaroos written off once again
13/11/2012 10:47 AM
Paul Gough, Betting Editor
They have made it a habit of defying the doomsayers over the past 20 years and it seems punters are again falling for the trap of writing off North Melbourne ahead of the 2013 AFL season.
The Kangaroos might be one of the AFL's poor relations when it comes to financial strength but their on-field performance can hardly be questioned considering the club has reached the finals in 13 of the past 20 seasons, including the premierships of 1996 and 1999 and a preliminary final appearance as recently as 2007.
Last season the Kangaroos again performed above expectations to win 14 of their 22 home and away games to finish in eighth spot before copping a 96-point hiding from the West Coast Eagles in Perth in the first week of the finals.
And it seems the disappointing nature of North's exit from the finals last season combined with their tough draw for season 2013 has already seen the Roos all but written off by the punters as a finals contender for next season.
Incredibly North are only on the 12th line of betting when it comes to the market on just which clubs will finish in the top eight next season, the Roos only ahead of the six clubs that filled the bottom six places last season in Brisbane and easybeats Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Gold Coast and GWS.
The Kangaroos are as much as $2.50 with TAB Sportsbet and even better odds at $2.54 with Betfair just to make the top eight next season despite finishing two games clear of ninth-placed St Kilda in 2012.
But not only are the Saints at shorter odds to make the top eight next season than the Kangaroos but 10-placed Carlton, 11th placed Essendon and even 12th placed Richmond - who have only made the finals twice in the past 30 years - are more favoured by the bookies.
The Blues, under new coach Mick Malthouse, are the side considered most likely to take North's spot in the top eight next season, with Carlton as short as $1.35 to make the eight at TAB Sportsbet and $1.45 at Betfair - where they are also on the fifth line of premiership betting at $11 behind Hawthorn at $4.60, Sydney at $7.40, West Coast at $8.60 and Collingwood at $10.
North however have copped a hard draw for season 2013 with return matches against Hawthorn, Adelaide, Collingwood and Geelong as well as the equal highest number of six-day breaks between matches.
But for a club which has proven time and time again it can overcome the odds stacked against them, the Kangaroos seem great early value in top eight betting.
This is the case when comparing them to Richmond - who won four less games than North last year - who are at just $1.90 at TAB Sportsbet and $1.92 with Betfair and Essendon - which lost 10 of their last 13 games in season 2012 - at $2.26 with Betfair to play finals next year.
Kangaroos written off once again
13/11/2012 10:47 AM
Paul Gough, Betting Editor
They have made it a habit of defying the doomsayers over the past 20 years and it seems punters are again falling for the trap of writing off North Melbourne ahead of the 2013 AFL season.
The Kangaroos might be one of the AFL's poor relations when it comes to financial strength but their on-field performance can hardly be questioned considering the club has reached the finals in 13 of the past 20 seasons, including the premierships of 1996 and 1999 and a preliminary final appearance as recently as 2007.
Last season the Kangaroos again performed above expectations to win 14 of their 22 home and away games to finish in eighth spot before copping a 96-point hiding from the West Coast Eagles in Perth in the first week of the finals.
And it seems the disappointing nature of North's exit from the finals last season combined with their tough draw for season 2013 has already seen the Roos all but written off by the punters as a finals contender for next season.
Incredibly North are only on the 12th line of betting when it comes to the market on just which clubs will finish in the top eight next season, the Roos only ahead of the six clubs that filled the bottom six places last season in Brisbane and easybeats Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Gold Coast and GWS.
The Kangaroos are as much as $2.50 with TAB Sportsbet and even better odds at $2.54 with Betfair just to make the top eight next season despite finishing two games clear of ninth-placed St Kilda in 2012.
But not only are the Saints at shorter odds to make the top eight next season than the Kangaroos but 10-placed Carlton, 11th placed Essendon and even 12th placed Richmond - who have only made the finals twice in the past 30 years - are more favoured by the bookies.
The Blues, under new coach Mick Malthouse, are the side considered most likely to take North's spot in the top eight next season, with Carlton as short as $1.35 to make the eight at TAB Sportsbet and $1.45 at Betfair - where they are also on the fifth line of premiership betting at $11 behind Hawthorn at $4.60, Sydney at $7.40, West Coast at $8.60 and Collingwood at $10.
North however have copped a hard draw for season 2013 with return matches against Hawthorn, Adelaide, Collingwood and Geelong as well as the equal highest number of six-day breaks between matches.
But for a club which has proven time and time again it can overcome the odds stacked against them, the Kangaroos seem great early value in top eight betting.
This is the case when comparing them to Richmond - who won four less games than North last year - who are at just $1.90 at TAB Sportsbet and $1.92 with Betfair and Essendon - which lost 10 of their last 13 games in season 2012 - at $2.26 with Betfair to play finals next year.