Storm hold on for another close win as they down Roosters
10 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
A Review of the Favourites for the 2020 NRL Season
The Sydney Roosters have won the last two Grand Finals, and they have the best odds to win the Premiership this season. Their 14-8 win over the Canberra Raiders in the NRL Grand Final last season was one that was marred by controversy.
However, they took home the title for their second in a row after beating the Melbourne Storm in the 2018 Grand Final.
The 2020 NRL season begins on March 12, when the Parramatta Eels host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the first fixture. The 2020 Grand Final will take place on Oct. 4 at Sydney Cricket Ground while the main venue for the final in ANZ Stadium is going through an $810 million renovation project.
The Favorites
The two-time defending Grand Final winners Sydney Roosters ($3.25) have the top betting odds at the best sports betting sites this season, followed by Melbourne Storm ($5.00) and Canberra Raiders ($5.50). All of the other teams have double-digit betting odds to win the Grand Final this season.
Here is a review of the favourites for the 2020 NRL season:
Sydney Roosters $3.25
The Roosters are loaded and set for a hat trick for the title with the best betting odds and with good reason. Even though talisman half-back Cooper Cronk retired, the team still has solid quality, led by Luke Keary.
They will have to play well in the Origin period, and if they can do that, they will not only be looking for a Top 4 finish but a third straight win in the Grand Final.
Melbourne Storm $5.00
The Storm are a club that always plays well in the regular season, but can they break through this season when it counts? The team may begin their transition this season, as veteran Cameron Smith may retire at the end of the season, and that will be a big loss.
Still, Craig Bellamy has the players that can get back to the Grand Final, where they lost to the Roosters in 2018.
Canberra Raiders $5.50
Can the Raiders get over their tough loss to the Roosters in last season's controversy-marred Grand Final? They have the players to do it, and they have an advantage with the Kiwis and English on their squad, which gives them an edge in the Origin period.
This is critical in the team's push for their first Grand Final win since 1994.
South Sydney Rabbitohs $10
The Rabbitohs are coached by a legend in Wayne Bennett, and the team was busy in the offseason, as adding Latrell Mitchell was a great move to add to an already good club. One of the things that may hold the team down is how many players they will lose to State of Origin.
On top of that, the Rabbitohs lost Sam Burgess to an injury retirement.
Parramatta Eels $10
The Eels have a young team that is solid all around, and they are a well-coached group with Brad Arthur at the helm. They have a fantastic new stadium, which will house their rabid fans, which gives the team a great home advantage any time they play.
A Top 4 finish is in the cards, and from there, history has shown that when that happens, anything can happen.
Manly Sea Eagles $11
The Sea Eagles are a solid outsider team that has a shot at the title this season. They were a big surprise last season, but with the squad they have, they will not sneak up on anyone this season.
They have to play well through the Origin period, and they are still led by the star Trbojevic brothers.
Betting odds as of Feb. 16 to Win the 2020 NRL Grand Final
- Sydney Roosters $3.25
- Melbourne Storm $5.00
- Canberra Raiders $5.50
- Parramatta Eels $10
- South Sydney Rabbitohs $10
- Manly Sea Eagles $11
- Brisbane Broncos $18
- Cronulla Sharks $18
- North Queensland Cowboys $18
- Penrith Panthers $20
- Newcastle Knights $22
- Canterbury Bulldogs $30
- Wests Tigers $30
- New Zealand Warriors $33
- St. George Illawarra Dragons $40
- Gold Coast Titans $80