NRL - 2019 Premiership Winner
We’ll look at the top 6 favourites in the betting markets.
The Sydney Roosters proved all doubters wrong in 2018 by convincingly defeating the Melbourne Storm on the back of a Luke Keary masterclass and the heroics of Cooper Cronk in the season finale. For this reason, and rightfully so, they are the favourites to be the first team in 26 years to go back-to-back in the NRL premiership. To aid their potentially history breaking season they have signed NSW Blues star Angus Crichton, English International Ryan Hall and veteran winger Brett Morris. These signings will help alleviate the loss of Dally M Winger of the year Blake Ferguson and the skilful Ryan Matterson. Whether or not they can break the hoodoo remains to be seen but it is a certainty they’ll be a force to be reckoned with come September time.
After bowing out disappointingly to the St George Illawarra Dragons in the qualifying finals last year they will be hoping that new coach Anthony Seibold can unlock the wealth of young talent that the Broncos host. They boast arguably the best up and coming forward pack in the competition and if Seibold can find the key to igniting the attacking prowess of Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima then it would be hard imagine the Broncos not finishing inside the top four. The return of marquee signing Jack Bird provides hope for Broncos fans but the impending question mark lies around the retirement of Sam Thaiday and the massive leadership hole that he leaves.
Penrith Panthers $10
The Panthers started the season as one of the favourites to take out the 2018 premiership but failed to fire come September time as they were eliminated by the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in the semi-finals. Much was said about the late season sacking of Anthony Griffin and the influence it had on their finals charge but fans from the foot of the mountain will be pleased to see former coach Ivan Cleary confirmed as their permanent coach in a move that unites him with his son and star half back, Nathan Cleary. With a host of experience across the park and amazing depth the Panthers will be hoping for the injury free season that has escaped them in previous years in order to mount a strong charge towards a top four finish.
Melbourne Storm $9
After losing to the Sydney Roosters in the big dance the Storm will be preparing for life without champion fullback Billy Slater in 2019. Despite the loss of their 30-game Australian fullback, the storm host arguably the greatest coach of modern era in Craig Bellamy and future immortal Cameron Smith in what proves to be another competitive year for the storm. With Bellamy being the master of squeezing every bit of talent out of his players you would be silly to bet against them not featuring in finals come September time.
The men from Redfern agonisingly fell at the final hurdle as they lost to eventual premiers and arch-rivals the Roosters in the 2018 preliminary final. Despite this loss, fans can have hope on season 2019 with the signing of seven time premiership winning coach, Wayne Bennett, who aims to lead them one step further. Souths will have to do this without boom forward Angus Crichton but with the possible final season of club champion John Sutton and the continued improvement of excitement machines Damien Cook and Cody Walker they will have no lack of motivation and talent to take them all the way.
St-George Illawarra Dragons $14
Perennial fast-starters St-George surprised many by knocking out the Brisbane Broncos in week one of the finals but ultimately fell at the hands of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in devastating fashion. This year they pose one of the leagues most exciting spines with the addition of Corey Norman but question marks hang over their ability to play at the high quality they possess throughout the entire course of the season. The loss of Jack De Belin is somewhat alleviated by the addition of Korbin Sims but it remains to be seen if the Illawarra men can find the cohesion and belief to feature deep into the finals.
Prediction
The sound of the premiership drum is growing louder at the foot of the mountains and the addition of Ivan Cleary as coach provides the stability that makes them the value play for the upcoming season.
Penrith Panthers $10
NRL - 2018 Minor Premiership Winner
The 2018 premiers, the Sydney Roosters, hold a strong history during the regular season under Trent Robinson, winning the J.J. Giltinan Shield four out of the last six seasons and represent an over the money bet at $4.
Sydney Roosters $4
NRL - To Make Grand Final
As mentioned, the Penrith Panthers have the roster, depth and coach to finally lead them to their first grand final since 2003. To guide them there they have no other than James Maloney who has taken the last three teams he has played for to a grand final within two seasons of being at the club.
Penrith Panthers $5.50
NRL - 2019 Top 8
The Newcastle Knights have endured a torrid run of form over recent years but with the signing of Australian forward David Klemmer and the ever improving excitement machine Kalyn Ponga you get the feeling that 2019 is the year that they return to September football. With Mitchell Pearce missing extended periods of last season the Novocastrians showed enough promise to suggest that they aren’t far away and for this reason they are the value play to make the top 8.
Newcastle Knights $1.85
NRL - 2019 Top 4
Once again Penrith represent outstanding value in the top 4 market. They face 2018 bottom eight teams the Eels, Knights, West Tigers, Titans and the Raiders twice in 2019 in what should help spur them towards a high finish on the table. Their toughest stretch will come when only playing at home once between rounds 5-9 but they have been favoured with 0 five day turnarounds across the course of the season.
Penrith Panthers $2.40
NRL - 2019 To Miss Top 8
After a season of turmoil that saw their premiership drought breaking coach, Shane Flanagan, deregistered by the NRL it poses the question over the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks ability to perform week in, week out in 2019. This coupled with the retirement of Luke Lewis and the ACL injury to Wade Graham leaves the Sharks with a lack of experience that could result in them missing the top 8 for the first time since 2014.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks $2.15
NRL - 2019 Most Losses
The Manly Sea Eagles are looking awfully light on outside backs after the injury to star player Tom Trbojevic and the 3 month suspension to former NSW Blues centre Dylan Walker. With this lack of firepower to start the season I find it hard to see the Sea Eagles recovering from their poor start and they look value to be the team with the most losses at the conclusion of the season.
Manly Sea Eagles $6
For the latest NRL Premiership markets, click here.
