The Serve

All signs point towards the Cats making it back to back premierships.

That is why they are the 3.25 favourites. Punters haven’t chimed into the short odds yet, perhaps thinking that one loss, or one injury, will see them blow out in the betting, but from what we saw in season 2007, there is no reason why they can’t do it all again. Nathan Ablett is a loss, but Geelong have the ability to cover for absent players, and that is one big positive about them.

Two of the most disappointing sides last year were Fremantle and St Kilda. The Saints had a horror run with injuries, and we are tipping them to be a force this year. They have already been backed from 17.00 into 12.00, and a couple of early victories would see that quote slashed. The same applies to Fremantle, who have had a massive shake up in the coaching department. The Dockers improved in the run home last year under care-taker coach Mark Harvey, and if he can get them to overcome their atrocious away record, then expect Fremantle to be there in September.

We are prepared to risk Sydney, West Coast and Adelaide as far as premiership betting is concerned. Everybody would be aware of the problems that the West Coast have had, and now they face a new era without Chris Judd and Ben Cousins. If these two were out of a season proper game, nobody would want a bar of them, and the same applies with their flag hopes. They have blown from 11.00 out to 13.00, and seem certain to get out even further. The Swans have also had their fair share of troubles with injuries and the poor form of several big names over the past twelve months, and we are delighted to take them on at 17.00. Adelaide have an old list that struggled again last year although they did play well in patches. Like several other teams, it has been the Crows forward line that has a big question mark hanging over it, and we cannot see how they can improve enough to be a force.

Two sides that have met with heavy support are Carlton and Brisbane. Carlton have been backed from 41.00 into 26.00, and it seems as though it is all based on the signing of Chris Judd. The Blues have got some good youngsters, and of course Judd is a wonderful player, but it may take another couple of years for Carlton to get it all together. Brisbane were another side that showed glimpses of form last year, but the success of the Lions depends on one thing….the availability of Jonathon Brown. A fit Brown can get the Lions to at least a finals spot, but if he suffers again from his injuries, then Lions punters can rip up their betting tickets.