NRL Premiership Betting time to strike

26 June 2015 16:08 PM

As we near the pointy end of the 2015 NRL season, our Racing and Sports Analyst Michael Gannon has assessed the betting options for NRL premiership race. With the injury toll for some clubs mounting, some teams playing into form, others playing out of form, and 16 Rounds of data to consider, it’s the perfect time to strike for End of Season betting.

 

End of Season Ladder Predictions – Red highlights the best betting opportunities

 

1. Broncos-NRL Broncos

 

Minor Premiers $2.10 / Premiers $5.25

9. Rabbits

 

Miss the eight $7

2. Roosters

 

Minor Premiers $7 / Premiers $4

10. Panthers

 

Miss the eight

3. Cowboys

 

Premiers $4.75

11. Sea Eagles

 

Miss the eight

4. Dragons

 

Premiers $15

12. Tigers

 

Miss the eight

5. Bulldogs

 

Make the eight $1.30

13. Sharks

 

Miss the eight

6. Warriors

 

Make the eight $1.50 / Premiers $30

14. Titans

 

Least Wins $9

7. Raiders

 

Make the eight $2.50

15. Eels

 

Least Wins $4

8. Storm

 

Miss the eight $5

16. Knights

 

Least Wins $3.75

 

The Contenders


Broncos

Have a great mixture of young talent and veterans. Their defence is rock solid and coach Wayne Bennett is a huge plus. Post Origin won’t knock the squad around as much as it has in the past. Big chance of winning the Premiership and look to have the Minor Premiership at their mercy.

 

Roosters

Are hitting their straps at the right time of the season, but look unlikely to catch the Broncos in first spot. The Roosters arguably possess the best backline in the competition and boast one of the most fierce forward packs in 2015. The legacy of Sonny Bill Williams is showing, the Roosters look a more polished team this year and appear to have a better idea of the level of professionalism and commitment needed to win the competition. Expect Mitchell Pearce to grow off the back of Origin. Deserved favourites.

 

Cowboys

Have won 11 straight but look to be peaking too early. I have huge concerns over Thurston’s work load and it’s likely that they will struggle post Origin.

It’s clear Paul Green has the same concerns about Thurston, resting him for the upcoming game against the Sharks. Don’t rule them out of a Semi-Final birth, but like most years the Cowboys will struggle to make the Grand Final.

 

Dragons

The two performances against the Roosters in 2015 prove the Dragons are a big chance of going all the way this year. The Marshall-Whiddop combination is hitting it’s straps and any team with Josh Dugan in it will be a threat in attack. The likes of Frizell, Merrin and De Bellin have played with intent and if they can maintain their form into the finals the Dragons look to be a big shot at a Grand Final birth.

 

The most impressive part of the Dragons game this year is their defence, and defence wins the big games.

 

Warriors

Any team with an in-form Shaun Johnson is a huge contender. The equation is simple, if the Warriors show up for 80 minutes in every game from now until the finals, they will go extremely close to winning the competition. The big question is, do they believe they can win the Premiership?


The Pretenders


Rabbitohs

Injury concerns and team harmony are the Rabbitohs biggest worry. Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds and Glen Stewart will need to lift for them to be title contenders. Going back to back is near impossible in the modern game and I can’t see the Rabbitohs contending the Grand Final this year.

 

Bulldogs

I’m not sure Des Hasler knows what to do with his three halves and I cant see the Doggies being competitive taking all three halves into big games against the likes of the Roosters, Broncos and Dragons. He will need to make a decision and drop one of them to NSW Cup and stick with a four forward bench otherwise his big boppers will run out of steam. Not for me this year!

 

Sharks

Similar to the warriors only they don’t have Shaun Johnson. If the Sharks turned up with the same intent they had against the Roosters in Round 13, they could be serious contenders. Too many class players in this side to go as poorly as they do. Perhaps next year they can start fresh and make a go of it.

 

Injury Plagued

Panthers

Titans

 

Always Next Year

Raiders

Storm

Tigers

Sea Eagles

 

Missing In Action

Knights

Eels

Titans