An early peak into the NRL premiership odds for 2023 are framed to see a repeat of the last two seasons in the growing dynasty of the west of Sydney, short favourites to be the first team in the NRL era to win 3 on the trot at $3.80. Perennial powerhouses Melbourne and Roosters round out the single figure chances with the rising stocks of North Queensland and Cronulla making up a balanced top 6. I have picked out my favourite value from our friends at Elitebet Future/Outright markets below so for those of you looking forward to the season kicking off in under 50 days!
VALUE BETS
PEREMIERSHIP MARKET: SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS $10.00
Stability in the spine, a clinical left side attack and the x-factor of Trell Mitt coupled with the rising powerhouse forward stocks headlined by Keon Koalamatagi and captain Cam Murray make Souths my favourite value selection at first glance. Things seem settled at Redfern leading in to 2023 they have a clean bill of health and blooded some integral pieces last season who have now had a relatively successful finals campaign under their belt which will see them hit the ground running, meaning the $10 early doors may be the best price you will see all year.
TOP NON-NSW: NORTH QLD COWBOYS $3
This is essentially a head to head bet with the Storm in my opinion. With question marks around the forward pack at Melbourne after over 500 games of experience has walked out of the storm in the offseason, I think the Storm will struggle most around origin as those guys were the core of the side that holds things together through mid-season where they like to give Munster, Grant and the likes a spell. It is a brave man to count out a Bellamy coached side but the cowboys have strike weapons all over the field and with what looks a nice draw I can see the Cows finishing above the Storm.
2023 REGULAR SEASON HANDICAP: NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (+20) $10.50
I know, I know the Knights are a basket case, their coach seems to have the cerebral capacity of a house brick and they are coming off a very ordinary 2022 but 10 wins is a massive head start for any team and with their off season pick-up of Hastings, the pending signature of Lachie Miller and a fully fit Jayden Brailey the spine becomes a little more capable, hopefully Kaylyn can get a decent run at things once he overcomes his latest slip up and although I cant see them making a finals run, I can see them being right on the outside looking in. Also fully understand this is a bit of a wild market to bet in but think at the price its not a bad look.
LOCK OF THE YEAR
MOST LOSSES: DOLPHINS $3.40
Despite getting themselves a coach who has a history of getting the underdogs up for the fight they simply just have an awful roster in most of the key positions. It would surprise me if the Dolphins don’t return the worst win rate we have seen in many a season. This looks as good a $3.40 bet I have seen in a minute. Look for the Roosters to put an absolute cricket score on them round 1. The 16.5 line is about half what it should be in my humble.
