Melbourne Darts Masters Preview
The World Series of Darts has trundled over to Melbourne from Auckland and the first round draw has now been made (seeds in brackets):
(1) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond Smith
Simon Whitlock v Corey Cadby
(4) Peter Wright v Mike Bonser
Raymond van Barneveld v Raymond O’Donnell
(2) Rob Cross v Haupai Puha
Michael Smith v Tim Pusey
(3) Gary Anderson v James Bailey
Kyle Anderson v Damon Heta
Auckland Recap
Sadly for us, Michael van Gerwen stepped back up to the plate in some style after under performing for a couple of months. His World Series results in particular had seen him lose his seeding for Auckland which therefore made him ripe to oppose. However, despite having one of the hardest possible draws – Gary Anderson in the second round, followed by Peter Wright and Barney – he lifted the trophy without really breaking a sweat.
We’re left with a few imponderables from this: Where has this MVG been lately? Will he be sticking around in Melbourne? Did Corey Cadby’s absence make any difference?
Corey Cadby
I don’t want to be accused of going on about Corey ‘King’ Cadby too much but he is probably the closest thing there is, or will be, to a new Eric Bristow. He’s arrogant but can back it up, immediately nicking Mervyn King’s nickname for a start. He first appeared to most of us in a World Series event a few years ago where he lost to Phil Taylor. When drawn against him the week after it was clear he’d taken the defeat on board, adapted, and then he sent the Power packing.
He hasn’t played enough on the PDC Tour which could lead to him being underestimated by punters but that would be a mistake. It’s a matter of when, not if, he becomes a regular in the Premier League and probably a World Champion too. The reason he’s remained down under for the most part is due to his young family but when the kids are a little older he will likely take the plunge, he is still only 23 so he has plenty of time.
Who will be the Master at Melbourne?
I generally find that backing outsiders away from the favourite’s half of the draw is the way to go in these events, especially given van Gerwen’s return to form. I’d like to go for Corey Cadby but will probably save that for the match odds assuming that he meets MVG in round two. That side of the draw is a bit too tough for us to back the new ‘King’ outright, especially with Peter Wright and RVB also lurking.
Given that in the other half none of Rob Cross, Michael Smith or Gary Anderson acquitted themselves particularly well last week I’m going to chance my arm on Kyle Anderson at 66/1 each way. He’s on home soil and has proved he can win these events before by taking the Auckland title last year. MVG is obviously a likely winner if he plays like he did last week but I’m not backing him at odds-on but I could well see him taking Kyle on for the trophy on the final night at a cracking price.
