Broncos lead the way in NRL 2016 futures markets

AFTER holding out all summer for some rugby action, the NRL is only a month away and now is the best time to get involved with the futures betting options.

After losing in heartbreaking fashion to the North Queensland Cowboys last year, the Brisbane Broncos are the current 2016 premiership favourites at $4.75 with Sportsbet.com.au.

One player at the focus of the Broncos loss was Ben Hunt. The star play maker dropped the kick off in overtime which ultimately led to Johnathan Thurston kicking the winning field goal. Many punters are predicting a big season for Hunt who sits at $17 to win the Dally M Medal. We’re also predicting a big season from Hunt and the Broncos which are deserved premiership favourites.

On the second line of betting are the defending champions. Winning back-to-back premierships is near impossible in the NRL and that’s why bookmakers have the Cowboys at $8.00. That price looks good on face value, considering they will still have the talents of Johnathan Thurston to lead them around the park. We like the look of the Top 4 finish at $2.20 with CrownBet.com.au.

The New Zealand Warriors aren’t exactly a team you want to put your hard earned on every week, but there is plenty of excitement surrounding the men from across the Tasman. The Warriors have arguably recruited the best this off-season, signing the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke, not to mention a few Australian outside backs.

Having never won a premiership, it’s hard to find the value at $9, but the $1.60 to make the Top 8 looks like a nice multi-bet inclusion. If the Warriors were to miss the playoffs with the team they have on paper, there would be some serious questions being asked in Kiwi land.

Coming in for some support has been the Parramatta Eels after taking out the NRL Nines in Auckland last weekend. The Nines is hardly a great guide for the NRL season, but it does give the players involved plenty of confidence and the Eels thrive on confidence. They looked to have unearthed a natural speedster in French on the wing, coupled with Semi Radradra, makes the Eels a dangerous proposition.

The Eels would need a big turnaround to win this season, but they should give punters a good sight at $17 with Sportsbet.com.au.

2016 NRL premiership Grand Final winner market

Top 8 odds in brackets*

Brisbane Broncos – $4.75 ($1.18)
North Queensland Cowboys – $8.00 ($1.33)
Sydney City Roosters – $8.50 ($1.40)
Manly Sea Eagles – $9.00 ($1.52)
New Zealand Warriors – $9.00 ($1.60)
South Sydney Rabbitohs – $13 ($1.62)
Melbourne Storm – $13 ($1.60)
Canterbury Bulldogs – $15 ($1.62)
Cronulla Sharks – $16 ($1.85)
Parramatta Eels – $17 ($1.90)
Penrith Panthers – $19 ($2.10)
Canberra Raiders – $26 ($2.15)
St. George Dragons – $34 ($2.50)
Newcastle Knights – $81 ($4.00)
Wests Tigers – $101 ($4.00)
Gold Coast Titans – $151 ($6.50)

There is some good value with many teams this season. The South Sydney Rabbitohs have a winning culture and the $13 being offered will likely drop as they progress successfully throughout the season.

When Greg Inglis is playing, your team is always a chance of winning and that’s largely what the Rabbitohs will be relying on this season. Sam Burgess returns from rugby union to reunite with the team which will add some excitement in the forwards and if Adam Reynolds can keep his head screwed on, they’ll make a run for the title at some stage.

Melbourne is at surprisingly good odds of $13, considering most punters thought they would be at single-figure odds. The Storm have Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater all returning to wear the purple jersey and that’s all you need.

With the salary cap been taken up by those three players, it doesn’t allow the Storm to recruit like other teams can, and with Cameron Munster suffering an injury at the Nines, it has caused some concern. That shouldn’t worry punters of Melbourne because the ‘Big Three’ can make anything happen and they still have try-scoring machine Marika Koroibete on the wing. The big Fijian is $23 to be the NRL Leading Tryscorer this season.

Moses Mbye rising up for Origin selection

Is it too early to talk about State of Origin? Never! And for up-and-coming star Moses Mbye, suspensions to Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford has seen him rise in the ranks for the Maroons.

Breaking curfew at the Emerging Origin camp has taken its toll on Hunt and Milford who will be removed from selection for the 2016 State of Origin series. A harsh reminder to all Maroons that excellence is expected throughout the entire season.

Whilst Daly Cherry-Evans and Michael Morgan are at the top of the list to replace the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk when need be, Moses Mbye has made waves in the NRL over the past couple of seasons.

The Bulldogs half impressed last season and Ben Hunt believes he will do great things in 2016.

“I’ve seen him improve a hell of a lot I feel,” Hunt said.

“He’s really stood up and taken his opportunity and I think the Bulldogs have realised that and know what they’ve got there and I think he’s ready to go on.

“His best strength is his running game. He’s really strong and able to break tackles and when he comes to the line he’s got a little dummy and he can slide through pretty easily.

“I think he’d be one of the quickest halves in the game so as soon as he gets into the space he’s gone.

“The more that he can take the line on and have a crack at running the better he’ll be.”

Queensland coach Kevin Walters believes Mbye’s next step is to not only show brilliance, but allow his teammates to shine as well.

“Everyone’s got their different styles and he is a bit different again, but I think that’s a great thing for the Bulldogs and for Queensland Rugby League,” Walters said.

“He’s got a very cool head on young shoulders. He had the introduction basically last year to first grade and he’ll be so much better for his time there last year.”

The Bulldogs have been well-supported to win the NRL title at $15 with Moses Mbye leading their offense. Mbye is currently an $81 chance to win the Dally M Medal which we think is good value, seeing as he fits the mold of a Johnathan Thurston-like player.

2016 NRL All Star betting and team lineups

The 2016 NRL All Star game is being played this Saturday at 8.00pm and punters can bet on the celebration of league in Australasia.

The Indigenous All Stars hold favouritism at $1.72 over the World All Stars ($2.13) and looking at the team the Indigenous All Stars have named, we wouldn’t go past them winning either.

They have named a team captained by none other than Johnathan Thurston and the talent doesn’t stop there. Greg Inglis, Ben Barba and Sam Thaiday are all big names for the Indigenous All Stars which have the advantage of having played together for a few years now.

The World All Stars have had limited time to gel as a team, but they aren’t lacking for talent. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Semi Radradra, Cameron Smith and the Burgess brothers all pose big threats in this game and it looks a very professional outfit.

There seems to be a good gathering around the Indigenous All Stars side and the crowd will be cheering for them. We like siding with the team that will thrive on the fan support, so take the Indigenous All Stars at $1.72 with Sportsbet.

Indigenous All Stars squad:

1. Greg Inglis
2. Alex Johnston
3. Will Chambers
4. Blake Ferguson
5. Dane Gagai
6. Ben Barba
7. Johnathan Thurson (C)
8. Ryan James
9. Nathan Peats
10. Sam Thaiday
11. Greg Bird
12. Joel Thompson
13. Chris Grevsmuhl
14. Andrew Fafita
15. Wade Graham
16. Tyrone Peachey
17. James Roberts
18. Tyrone Roberts
19. Ray Thompson
20. Jack Wighton
Coach: Laurie Daley

World All Stars team:

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Semi Radradra
3. Jarrod Crocker
4. Josh Morris
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. James Graham
9. Cameron Smith (C)
10. Paul Gallen
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Simon Mannering
13. Sam Burgess
14. Tom Burgess
15. Kane Evans
16. Robbie Farah
17. Lachlan Maranta
18. Nene McDonald
19. Trent Merrin
20. Martin Taupau
Coach: Wayne Bennett