THE CREAM OF THE NRL ODDS CROP
THE 2023 NRL season is fast approaching, and punters will be all over who are the contenders to make the top four. But who do the odds like the most? To make the NRL 2023 Top 4
PENRITH PANTHERS - $1.50
THE two-time reigning champions farewelled one of the comp’s best hookers Api Koroisau (Tigers). Plus booming edge forward Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs) and its outside back stocks are already being tested, too, with left wing Taylan May out for the year with an ACL.
Despite Penrith’s left-edge decimation and the departure of Koroisau, the defending champs still have the Cleary combo in position and remain title favourites.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS - $1.65
THIS is a loaded roster if ever there’s been one, and the most insulated to deal with injury disaster.
The Chooks now have Melbourne recruit Brandon Smith as hooker, which is really the only position in the line-up with iffy depth right now.
The side has scary firepower out wide and is bringing back a forward pack fully primed for a strong campaign.
MELBOURNE STORM - $1.85
MELBOURNE fans won’t expect anything less than top four.
But Craig Bellamy’s crew has already caught the injury bug, and the club farewelled three hardened starters from that forward pack, who all landed in Redcliffe. Everything will need to go right.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS - $2.50
Souths could be one injury away from major problems. But if Latrell Mitchell stays on the park, there’s no reason it can’t end a mini premiership drought.
While potentially a tad thin for middle forwards, this outfit has the cattle to hoist the Proven-summons Trophy for the first time since 2014.
It’s good value.
CRONULLA SHARKS - $2.60
CRONULLA enters 2023 with legitimate claims, boasting one of the deepest and most versatile squads in the league. The forward pack offers a bit of everything, while the spine contains three maturing playmakers who have another gear in them, led by Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes. They’re right in this thing, and the $2.75 top-four finish (at bet365) looks a smash.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS - $2.60
THE Cowboys shocked plenty last season and should have made the grand final.
The starting pack is wellrounded and the backline has stars.
But it’s hard not to remain concerned by the halves situation, especially when comparing North Queensland with the fellow contenders.
PARRAMATTA EELS - $3.75
LAST year’s runner-up has lost more than it gained, on paper.
Halves pairing Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown can take this team far.
But outside of breakout candidate J’maine Hopgood, it’s tough to identify where the improvement comes from.
That said, it’s another topeight season ($1.75), surely.