NRL Futures, Premiership Winner
Best Bet: Penrith Panthers
$3.20
This one’s a no-brainer.
The triple premiers are sitting third on the NRL ladder with eight wins from 11 games. Most impressively, they do it without their superstar playmaker, Nathan Cleary. While their premiership hero has attempted to return from a troublesome hamstring throughout the season, he is now sidelined until Round 19.
However, it did little to stop the Penrith Machine from operating at an elite level last weekend as they dismantled the ladder-leading Sharks 42-0. They’ve won four of their past five and are showing no signs of slowing down, with the likes of Dally M leader and Origin debutant Dylan Edwards starring at fullback.
If the Panthers can continue to win without Cleary with their high-ranking defence (#1), welcoming him back later this season will have them primed for a historic assault on a fourth-straight premiership.
Suggested Bet:
Panthers to win at $3.20
Next Best: Melbourne Storm
$8
Despite their Round 12 loss to the Sea Eagles 4 Pines Park, there’s no doubting the Purple Army are currently overs at $8.
Sitting at the top of the table with eight wins from their 11 outings, the Storm has once again made Aami Park their fortress with a 6-1 record and wins over the Panthers, Warriors, and Broncos on home soil.
The biggest threat to the Storm’s chances is clearly their injury list, with Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cam Munster, and Will Warbrick among those who are sidelined. Munster’s groin injury is the biggest concern, but Craig Bellamy can expect the star Five-Eighth back in Round 20.
The third-best defense in the League, a home ground advantage unlike any other team and the best coach in the business, we’re happy to take the $8 to find out what the Storm can do in 2024.
Suggested Bet:
Storm to win at $8
Best Value: Manly Sea Eagles
$26
But they’re 6-1-5 after 12 rounds? We hear you, but we aren’t listening.
The Sea Eagles have experienced ups and downs in the first half of the season, but there have been enough positives to make the $26 on offer an incredibly enticing prospect.
While they’ve lost games, they should have arguably won against the Eels, Dragons, and Raiders, but Anthony Seibold’s men have shone against the likes of the Panthers and Storm. They’ve also pushed the Dolphins and Broncos to the final moments.
Daly Cherry-Evans, who sits third in the Dally M, leads a high-class cast of Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick, and the Trbojevic clan. Tommy Turbo is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but he’s been the most exciting player in the League, and he’s reinvigorated this Sea Eagles line-up.
If they can string their best performances together in the second half of the season, expect that $26 to disappear quickly.
