AFL (week 1 finals) for September 7
Second Qualifying Final: Geelong (18-4) v Fremantle (16-1-5), Simonds
Stadium, Saturday, September 7, 2.20pm AEST
Kardinia Park/Shell/Baytech/Skilled/Simonds Stadium
has had its share of name changes but the bayside venue has never hosted a
final. That was until the AFL made a bizarre call to award Geelong a genuine
‘home’ final for the visit of Fremantle. Recent history would suggest that this
is a significant advantage – Freo turned in a shocker here back in round 14
although they were without Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich, Nat Fyfe, David
Mundy and Michael Barlow. They’ll all play here as the Dockers (with 12 rested players
returning) field one of their stronger sides of the season. Of course, there’s
also Geelong’s extraordinary home record (43-1) to consider; a record dating
back to 2007. Fremantle has won only once in Geelong in 13 attempts, and has
failed to pass 54 points on its past three visits. Chris Scott’s side can also
boast more than twice as much finals experience (252 combined games to Freo’s
110 while the Cats are making their eighth successive finals experience.
The overall numbers mightn’t be great for Ross Lyon
but, despite a long injury list at numerous times this year, he’s a master of
managing player resources and will have a rock-hard fit 22 at his disposal
here. Aaron Sandilands will dominate Nathan Vardy in the ruck should provide
the on-ballers with more than a fair share of opportunity to win the footy. The
pace of small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters will also bother
Corey Enright and Cameron Guthrie – remember, they combined for five goals when
Freo defeated the Cats in an elimination final at the MCG 12 months ago. On
that day, the Dockers flew out of the stalls and held the Cats goalless into
the second term. Fremantle looks ideally placed to challenge the Cats here
but that home advantage is hard to ignore.
Suggested bet: Fremantle +20.5 (2.5 units @ $1.91) WIN,
game total +166.5 (1.5 units @ $1.80) LOSE (72-87)
Second Elimination Final: Collingwood (14-8) v Port Adelaide (12-10),
MCG, Saturday, September 7, 7.45pm
On each occasion that a microphone
has been thrust in front of Eddie McGuire this week, the Collingwood president
has bemoaned the fact that his Magpies face a six-day break after winning this
game if Fremantle beat Geelong. This statement has been duly noted in the Power
camp, as McGuire assumes that the Pies are over the line here. As much
incentive as his comments might provide in the opening minutes, Port Adelaide’s
remarkable 2013 campaign and first finals appearance since being thrashed in
the 2007 Grand Final more than likely ends here. But they’ll give coach Ken
Hinkley and their supporters good bang for their buck. The Power are virtually
at full strength with Alipate Carlile, Robbie Gray and Hamish Hartlett
returning, should have an edge in the ruck with Darren Jolly still out for the
Pies while they defeated Collingwood in round 14 at AAMI Stadium by 35 points.
Collingwood have been the enigma of
2013. The pre-season tip of many pundits to win the flag, the Pies have been consistently
inconsistent all year, with injury and player unrest often manifesting on the
park. The conflict between skipper Nick Maxwell and fellow backmen Heath Shaw
and Harry O’Brien (returning here) has been comical at times, and players even campaigned
for the return of Alan Didak behind closed doors! But somehow Nathan Buckley
has been able to harness these disparate forces, as well as coping with the
season-long absences of both Dale Thomas and Alan Toovey. The Magpies have a
massive edge in finals experience (340-42 games) while the majority of the Port
squad will never have experienced a near-full house at the MCG. Collingwood is
also likely to force Port to use key on-ballers in run-with roles to negate the
likes of Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury.
Suggested bet: Collingwood -25.5 (three units @ $1.91)
Racing for September 7
Horse racing: Flemington
(Vic), Randwick (NSW),
Eagle Farm (Qld), Morphettville (SA), Belmont
(WA), Pakenham (Vic),
Newcastle (NSW), Gold Coast (Qld), Grafton
(NSW), Cairns (Qld),
Sunshine Coast (Qld). Harness racing: Albion
Park (Qld), Ballarat (Vic),
Bunbury (WA), Globe Derby (SA), Menangle
(NSW). Greyhound racing: Richmond
(NSW), The Gardens (NSW),
Wentworth Park (NSW), The Meadows (Vic), Cannington
(WA), Shepparton (Vic).
It’s Sofitel Girls’ Day Out at Flemington today
highlighted by the $355,000 Group 1 WFA Makybe Diva Stakes along with a pair of
group 2s – the Danehill Stakes for 3yos at SWP and the 1400m Let’s Elope Stakes
for the mares. There also five group races scheduled at Royal Randwick, with
the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes the feature. A word of
caution about today’s meeting in Sydney – the barrier is out eight metres while
the track is a good (3). Track bias has been an issue at Randwick, so watch the
first two races to identify any trends with leaders likely to be prominent.
My best of the day is at Randwick in a race that
won’t be impacted by any track bias. #8 Sessions will jump from barrier 8 in
the Group 3 $125,000 Concorde Stakes over 1000 metres. This 4yo is an emerging
sprint star – Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride for Peter Snowden and the Darley
team and will again keep the Lonhro entire off the speed before he unleashes
some sizzling sectionals over the last 2-3 furlongs. The winner of four of six,
Sessions trialed impressively on August 20 and looks a huge chance here.
Suggested bet: Randwick R3 #8 Sessions WIN (three
units @ $2.00)
Other tips
Flemington R2 #2 Cauthen (win) LOSE (U/P)
Flemington R3 #5 Bells of Troy (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Flemington R5 #2 Safeguard (E/W) LOSE (4th)
Flemington R6 #5 Foreteller (E/W) 1st ($15.30/$3.20)
Flemington R7 #8 Adamantium (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Flemington R8 #3 Dear Demi (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Randwick R1 #3 Acapela (E/W) 3rd ($2.50)
Randwick R2 #2 Gangster’s Choice (E/W 1x2) 1st ($6.90/$2.40)
Randwick R4 #11 Forever Loved (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Randwick R5 #8 Aussies Love Sport (E/W 1x2) 1st ($4.00/$2.00)
Randwick R6 #8 Fawkner (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Randwick R7 #2 Veyron (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Randwick R8 #2 Heart Testa (E/W 1x2) 3rd ($2.50)
Eagle Farm R1 #4 Platinum Jack (win) 1st ($2.70)
Eagle Farm R3 #2 Listen Son (win) LOSE (3rd)
Eagle Farm R6 #6 Little Favours (win) 1st ($2.60)
Eagle Farm R8 #12 Qfighter (E/W 1x2) 1st ($3.60/$1.80)
Morphettville R1 #7 Phantom Brew (win) LOSE (3rd)
Morphettville R5 #2 Ambrosia (E/W) LOSE (U/P)
Morphettville R6 #6 Star Of Zena (win) 1st ($3.10)
Morphettville R8 #8 Stella Lante (E/W 1x3) 2nd ($2.00)
Harness racing tip: Ballarat R6 #1 Our Summer Wind (win) LOSE (U/P)
Greyhound racing tip: Wentworth Park R7 #1 Gaudi (win) LOSE (2nd)
CFL (week 11) for September 7
Calgary Stampeders (7-2) @ Edmonton Eskimos (1-8), Commonwealth
Stadium, Edmonton, AB, Saturday, September 7, 11am
Four days after they played a wild Labour Day Classic
in Calgary, the Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos will square off again, this time
in Edmonton. The Eskimos staged a dramatic comeback attempt in the fourth
quarter but once again fell short as Calgary won its sixth straight meeting
between the provincial rivals. Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly threw four
touchdown passes in just over six minutes during the rally – the kind of
production the Eskimos need in the first quarter, when they have not scored a
touchdown since Week 2. Edmonton GM Ed Hervey has instructed his coaching staff
to indefinitely bench offensive lineman Simeon Rottier after Calgary sacked
Reilly seven times! Thanks to his fantastic fourth quarter, Reilly threw for
246 yards, bringing his season total to 2277 - second in the league behind
Hamilton's Henry Burris. Slotback Fred Stamps and wide receivers Cary Koch and
Nate Coehoorn account for nearly 75 per cent of that total. The Eskimos played without
running back Hugh Charles (hamstring) or defensive end and team sack leader
Odell Willis (shoulder), who are questionable for this game.
Bo Levi Mitchell took over at quarterback after Kevin
Glenn left with an injury in the second quarter and Mitchell – who began the
year as Calgary’s third-string option – did not disappoint, throwing for two TDs
and running for another. The Stampeders continue to find success on offence
despite missing starting quarterback Drew Tate and leading receiver Nik Lewis
and playing with a banged-up Jon Cornish, who is still the second-leading
running back in the league despite recording only 60 yards on Monday after
missing a game. Defensive linemen Charleston Hughes and Cordarro Law ran
roughshod over Edmonton’s offensive line, combining for five sacks. Wide
receiver Maurice Price was the latest member of Calgary’s receiving corps to
fill the role of Lewis, catching three touchdown passes as part of a massive
165-yard game. Slotback Marquay McDaniel was the leading receiver two weeks
ago, while wide receiver Brad Sinopoli and slotback Jabari Arthur have both
proven to be capable and reliable. The biggest danger for the Stampeders
appears to be complacency – their relaxed play in the fourth quarter keyed the
Eskimos’ comeback.
Suggested bet: Game total -56.5 (three units @
$1.91) WIN, Edmonton +3.5 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (22-12)
NCAAF (week 2) for September 6-7
ACC: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-0) @ Boston College
Eagles (1-0), Alumni Stadium,
Chestnut Hill, MA, Saturday, September 7, 10am
Wake Forest and Boston College look to build on
season-opening wins over FCS opponents when the teams begin ACC play here.
Boston College marked coach Steve Addazio’s debut with a 24-14 win over
Villanova last week, while Wake Forest forced six turnovers and allowed only
two first downs in a 31-7 win over Presbyterian. Nine of the last 10 meetings
in the series have been decided by 10 or fewer points. The Demon Deacons,
picked to finish fourth in the ACC Atlantic Division, expect to have All-ACC
receiver Michael Campanaro back after he missed last Saturday’s game with a sore
hamstring. Campanaro’s return would be a welcome boost for a Wake Forest team
that ranked 116th nationally in scoring last season and failed to establish the
run in the season opener. The Demon Deacons are hoping for a bounce-back effort
from sophomore kicker Chad Hedlund, who missed two of three field goal attempts
against Presbyterian.
Boston College finished 2-10 overall and 1-7 in conference play last season,
but there were some encouraging signs in the win over Villanova. Senior
linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis had a team-high 12 tackles to lead the Eagles’
defense, which finished 100th in the nation in total yards allowed last season.
The unit needs another strong performance against the Demon Deacons and
freshman wide receiver Jonathan Williams, who had five catches for 143 yards in
his first game. Senior running back Andre Williams carried 23 times for 114
yards last week, but he left the game with a hamstring injury and could miss this. If Williams is forced to sit out, the Eagles will rely
heavily on QB Chase Rettig and wide receiver Alex Amidon, who had a
career-high 13 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown against Villanova.
Redshirt freshman Bobby Wolford, who switched from linebacker to fullback last
month, made an immediate impact last week with 84 receiving yards and a
touchdown.
Suggested bet: Game total -48 (two
units @ $1.91) WIN, Boston -2.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (10-24)
MLB for September 6-7
NL: Washington Nationals (71-68, 31-37 away) @ Miami
Marlins (52-86, 29-39 home), Marlins Park, Miami, FL, Saturday, September 7, 9.10am
Manager Mike Redmond pushed Fernandez's scheduled
start from Wednesday so his final two outings would come at home,
where he's 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA. The Marlins have won his last nine starts in
Miami. One of those victories was against the Nationals, going
six innings as he surrendered one run and four hits (all singles) in a 2-1,
10-inning win on July 13. Dan Haren (8-12, 5.02) threw six scoreless innings
that day and will oppose Fernandez again Friday. Haren had been pitching well
of late, going 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in his previous six starts, before getting
ripped for seven runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings of Saturday's 11-3 loss to
the Mets. Miami (52-86) remains the worst offensive team in baseball but is
hitting .306 in four games this month while averaging 6.0 runs. While Christian
Yelich is hitting .438 with two homers in his past eight games, Adeiny
Hechavarria has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven and hit a grand slam
in Thursday’s 9-7 loss to the Cubs.
Suggested bet: Marlins WIN (2.5 units @ $1.74) WIN, game
total -6.5 (1.5 units @ $1.93) LOSE (0-7)
Other tips
IL: Mets WIN $2.52 @ Indians LOSE (1-8)
AL: Red Sox @ Yankees WIN $2.06 LOSE (12-8)
AL: Red Sox @ Yankees WIN $2.06 LOSE (12-8)
AL: Tigers WIN $1.90 WIN @ Royals -7.5 $1.99 LOSE (16-2)
AL: Blue Jays WIN $1.88 WIN @ Twins +7.5 $1.88 WIN (6-5)
AL: Rangers WIN $1.97 LOSE @ Angels +7.5 $1.99 WIN (5-6)
AL: Astros @ Athletics -1.5 $1.83 WIN (5-7)
AL: Rays WIN $1.84 LOSE @ Mariners +7 $1.87 WIN (4-6)
AL: Blue Jays WIN $1.88 WIN @ Twins +7.5 $1.88 WIN (6-5)
AL: Rangers WIN $1.97 LOSE @ Angels +7.5 $1.99 WIN (5-6)
AL: Astros @ Athletics -1.5 $1.83 WIN (5-7)
AL: Rays WIN $1.84 LOSE @ Mariners +7 $1.87 WIN (4-6)
NL: Brewers @ Cubs WIN $2.04 WIN +8.5 $1.88 WIN (5-8)
NL: Dodgers @ Reds WIN $1.81 WIN +9 $2.07 LOSE (2-3)
NL: Pirates WIN $1.92 @ Cardinals LOSE (8-12)
NL: Rockies @ Padres +7.5 $2.10 LOSE (3-4)
NL: D'backs WIN $1.81 LOSE @ Giants -7 $1.93 WIN (0-3)
NL: Dodgers @ Reds WIN $1.81 WIN +9 $2.07 LOSE (2-3)
NL: Pirates WIN $1.92 @ Cardinals LOSE (8-12)
NL: Rockies @ Padres +7.5 $2.10 LOSE (3-4)
NL: D'backs WIN $1.81 LOSE @ Giants -7 $1.93 WIN (0-3)
• Prices
with thanks to Centrebet, correct at
time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun
recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences
for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling
experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your
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