Huge Collect If Sharks Fly And Hawks Make Biggest Splash Of All

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday March 28, 2008

John Schell

HAWTHORN'S demolition of Melbourne in the opening round of the AFL season has caught the attention of one Sportingbet Australia punter, who has coupled the team in an NRL premiership double with form team Cronulla.

Sportingbet chief executive Michael Sullivan said the punter placed a bet of $2000 on the double after both teams were in sensational form last weekend, with the Sharks accounting for reigning premiers Melbourne in the NRL.

"The bet stands to win almost $200,000, and it does look to be big odds after both teams were so impressive on the weekend," Sullivan said. "But in saying that Cronulla have never won a premiership, and it has been a long time between drinks for the Hawks as well."

The Hawks travel to Perth this weekend to take on Fremantle, and Alan Eskander's Betstar.com.au has rated the home side as narrow favourites.

"At around even money, Hawthorn do look to be a bit of value though," Eskander said. "It is only the home ground advantage that has Fremantle installed as favourites."

Eskander has the Sydney Swans slight favourites to account for Port Adelaide in Sunday's clash at the SCG.

"The Swans were pretty good in their narrow loss to St Kilda last week, while Port are coming off a loss to Geelong," he said. "The Swans should be getting their first win of the season on the board."

Sportsbook.com.au spokesman Col Greer said the Brisbane Lions had been best backed with his agency with a client having $12,000 on them to win tonight against Collingwood at $1.80.

"The Lions firmed into $1.73 but we are happy to let the punters on as they have had to travel back from Perth where they lost to West Coast last week," Greer said.

Carn the Raiders

Hamish Davidson's Sportsbetting.com.au is hoping Canberra can add to their surprise win over Penrith last week when they line up against St George Illawarra tomorrow night.

"The Dragons were ordinary in round one when they lost to Wests Tigers, but won last week against the Gold Coast so the punters are out in force supporting them to win again," Davidson said.

"The game is evenly matched betting-wise, with both teams at $1.92, but the most support has been for St George Illawarra. It would be nice to get them beaten."

TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said there was a bet of $6000 at $1.85 on the Dragons to win as well as another $7500 at $1.95 on them to cover a 1.5-point handicap.

Munsie said other bets of note had been $6500 at $1.90 on the Gold Coast to win against Cronulla and $4000 on a double of Parramatta (-8.5) against Newcastle into Sydney Roosters to win against Melbourne.

Greer said Sportsbook.com.au punters were keen on the Dragons and Titans to win, with one client investing $10,000 on a Dragons win at $1.95 and another having $8000 on the Titans at $1.90.

Tiger slam at $13

TAB Sportsbet has listed Tiger Woods at $13 to complete the grand slam of golf and win all four majors this year.

Woods tasted defeat for the first time this season in last weekend's CA Championship when finishing fifth, two shots behind winner Geoff Ogilvy.

Woods is rated a $4.50 chance to score no major wins this year, $3 to win one or two majors, and $6 to win three of them.

Woods has already won four US Masters, two US Opens, three British Opens and four US PGA Championships.

Meanwhile, Ogilvy has been a firmer in betting to win the US Masters with Sportingbet Australia following his latest triumph.

Sportingbet Australia also has a market on whether an Aussie will win the Masters, with "not an Australian victory" the favourite.

THE BEST BET

Cronulla to win against Gold Coast at $1.95 with Sportsbook.com.au

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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