Punters back on Cowboys

THE resurgent Cowboys have stormed into equal competition favouritism with the Roosters and Rabbitohs.

On a day Manly were confirmed as wooden spoon favourites for the first time in their proud NRL history, the 2015 title race was declared “the most open” since the TAB started framing NRL markets in 1998.

The Cowboys, Roosters and Rabbitohs are now $ 6 equal competition favourites.

North Queensland dropped off the bookmakers’ radar after losses to the Roosters, Knights and Broncos in the opening three rounds. Since then they have strung together four consecutive wins — over the Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Warriors — including back- to- back victories in Sydney.

But it’s the rejuvenated Dragons, guided by ex- Tiger Benji Marshall, who are now the punters’ most popular pick after five straight victories that have also earned them a share of the competition lead.

Heading into this Saturday’s Anzac Day blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters, the TAB has also unearthed an ironic flashback to the Wests Tigers’ famous premiership charge in 2005.

The Dragons’ odds to win the title this year have been dramatically cut from $ 151 to $ 15.

In 2005 the Wests Tigers’ odds also blew out to $ 151 after nine rounds before Marshall inspired one of rugby league’s greatest ever season revivals. Whether it can happen again in 2015 is too early to say with certainty, but punters are jumping on board.

TAB’s Matt Jenkins said: “They have been the most popular team in the past two weeks and firmed from $ 26 to $ 15 after beating genuine premiership contenders the Broncos.”