You’ve decided to have a bet on the NRL in a futures market. Perhaps you know a lot about the game or perhaps you don’t. At the beginning of the year, hope is high for all 16 teams. Regardless of what occurred in 2021, this is a chance for improvement. Even the 2021 Premiers, the Panthers, will want to build on a successful season and hold the trophy for another year. If only it were that easy.
The fact is, most teams this year will just be ‘making up the numbers’, while the stronger NRL teams perform consistently and time their run towards September. It is a simple formula for those striving for success – finish in the Top 4 and enhance your chances of winning – this means consistency is rewarded but also vital.
Our NRL season preview will look at those teams who are only capable of winning the NRL competition in 2022 and hopefully, make your decision easier when having a bet.
2022 NRL Season Preview & Betting Tips - The Contenders
Penrith Panthers - Premiership Odds: $5.00
The reigning Premiers have a great opportunity to go back-to-back. They have a youthful squad which is blessed with talent. Despite losing a few key players, their depth is strong, and they appear capable of covering their losses. The biggest hurdle for this team will be overcoming fatigue on two fronts - the hangover from the victory last year and losing players to representative selection. If they can balance this out, they appear better placed than the Roosters were back in 2019.
Melbourne Storm - Premiership Odds: $5.50
It is business as usual at the Storm. Just when you think they are going to struggle to cover the loss of a key player (or two), they surprise everyone and produce an impressive season. Such is their culture of high performance; it is expected that they will feature deep into the Finals. They have strong attacking weapons across the park and their defence is resolute. Teams are going to have to discover a strong game plan if they are to disrupt their momentum.
Sydney Roosters - Premiership Odds: $6.00
The Roosters are primed. 2021 saw a horror run of injuries but it also gave them the opportunity to reflect on where they wanted to head this season. It also meant that they exposed plenty of inexperienced players to the week-to-week rigors of the NRL. This should aid their cause. If they can keep their best team on the field, there is no reason why they cannot return to premiership glory.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Premiership Odds: $9.00
The Sea Eagles went on a magical run of form last year and they can do the same again this season. Unfortunately, this largely depends on the fitness of their star fullback and 2021 Dally M Medallist, Tom Trbojevic. If he is fit and firing, so too are the Sea Eagles. They have the model of investing in a few superstars and building a team around then. When it comes off, they are a dangerous team. Yet, it is difficult to dive into them with any confidence. A capable team on their day but it can quickly unfold, and the risk is too high.
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Premiership Odds: $10
The Rabbitohs lose plenty of talent with the departure of Bennett and Reynolds. It has seen their price drift out, but the fact remains, they will be capable of defeating majority of the teams in the competition and should make the Finals. From there, there is a large question mark about their potential. Perhaps if they can keep their squad fit (and away from the judiciary), they are a chance to push for the title after last year’s defeat.
Parramatta Eels - Premiership Odds: $13
The premiership window of the Eels is just about closed. Their team will dramatically change this year with the departure of several key players. The time is now for them to perform and place themselves to win a competition. Their match against the Panthers in the Finals suggests that they are closer than most think. While capable, the other teams in the competition appear to have an edge on them and it will take a monumental effort for the Eels to change the course of 2022.
The top 3 teams in the market are there for a reason. The value lies in the Storm and Roosters; if anything, that is a great Grand Final Quinella (currently $11). Out of those two teams, the Storm have a slight edge on the basis that the representative season will likely have less of an impact on their squad than the Roosters. There isn’t much to split the two sides and with time drawing near for coach Bellamy, this Storm side will want to win the competition one last time with the current squad. A slight lean towards them ahead of the Roosters and then the Panthers.
Melbourne Storm Premiers
$5.50
