Originally Posted by
Tim Gerry Mander
I use a method whereby at the start of the season, each HG is worth a set amount of points advantage.
As the season progresses, I then start adjusting the HGA and AGD (Away Ground Disadvantage) for each team depending on whether or not they cover the spread or not.
For example, let's say take Warriors v Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium.
The teams have the same power rating, so that cancels out, meaning the game would be a pick (evens) at a neutral venue.
Playing at home, the Warriors get a 2 point advantage, so the game handicap is Warriors -2/ Panthers +2.
If the final result falls in the range of + or - 6 (meaning Warriors win by 8 or Panthers win by 4, then there is no change to the HGA/AGD.
If the result falls outside this range, then adjust the HGA/AGD up or down, depending on the result.
If the Warriors win by more than 8, adjust their HGA up and the AGD for the Panthers down, and vice versa for a Panthers win of more than 4.
This method gives you a better feel for how a team is playing at home/away for the current season.
Instead of blindly saying that the Tigers are specials at Leichhardt, that particular season they may be struggling at that venue.
This season, some examples are Raiders, Roosters and Knights very strong at home, while the Eels are terrible away from home.
Then for each game, you take the average of the HGA and AGD for each team.