Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
First-up wins predicted by bookies
29/12/2011 2:02 PM
Adam Lucius
Sportal
Premiership-winning coaches Wayne Bennett and Des Hasler will start the 2012 NRL season with wins at their new clubs while Michael Maguire will enjoy first-up success at South Sydney.
But there's nothing but bad news for rookie Manly coach Geoff Toovey.
That's according to the men working the odds at Australia's leading online sports betting agency sportsbet.com.au
They have installed Bennett's Knights $1.55 favourites to knock over his old club St George Illawarra ($2.45) in the opening match of the season.
The bagmen also see victories for Hasler and Canterbury ($1.60) in their match against Penrith ($2.35)and the Rabbitohs ($1.65) over local rivals the Roosters ($2.25).
But if the bookies get it right, there will be no celebrations for Toovey when he takes charge for his first game against the Warriors at Eden Park.
The oddmakers expect the Kiwis to win the grand final replay, installing them the Warriors( $1.65) favourites against the Sea Eagles ($2.25).
"The club's huge off-field dramas combined with a trip to the UK for the World Club Challenge will see the Sea Eagles start as outsiders in that one," sportsbet.com.au spokesman Ben Hawes explained.
"The Knights have one of the best spines in the NRL and with Wayne Bennett in control they will be one of the leading contenders in 2012. They will be primed for that first game against the Saints."
"On paper the Rabbitohs have an outstanding side and with the arrival of Michael Maguire they'll finally click and we think Hasler's Bulldogs will account for Penrith."
In the other round one games, Brisbane ($1.85) will start the post-Darren Lockyer era as slight favourites against Parramatta ($1.95), Melbourne ($1.72) are expected to beat Canberra ($2.12) and the Cowboys are a short $1.40 against the Titans ($2.95).
While Todd Carney's arrival at Shark Park is predicted to boost Cronulla's fortunes in 2012, it's not enough to have them favourites in their clash with Wests Tigers.
They will start $2.55 outsiders against the Benji Marshall-led Tigers, who start at $1.50.
"The arrival of Todd Carney at the Sharks will give them a huge confidence boost but the Tigers look to have them covered across the park," Hawes declared.
29/12/2011 2:02 PM
Adam Lucius
Sportal
Premiership-winning coaches Wayne Bennett and Des Hasler will start the 2012 NRL season with wins at their new clubs while Michael Maguire will enjoy first-up success at South Sydney.
But there's nothing but bad news for rookie Manly coach Geoff Toovey.
That's according to the men working the odds at Australia's leading online sports betting agency sportsbet.com.au
They have installed Bennett's Knights $1.55 favourites to knock over his old club St George Illawarra ($2.45) in the opening match of the season.
The bagmen also see victories for Hasler and Canterbury ($1.60) in their match against Penrith ($2.35)and the Rabbitohs ($1.65) over local rivals the Roosters ($2.25).
But if the bookies get it right, there will be no celebrations for Toovey when he takes charge for his first game against the Warriors at Eden Park.
The oddmakers expect the Kiwis to win the grand final replay, installing them the Warriors( $1.65) favourites against the Sea Eagles ($2.25).
"The club's huge off-field dramas combined with a trip to the UK for the World Club Challenge will see the Sea Eagles start as outsiders in that one," sportsbet.com.au spokesman Ben Hawes explained.
"The Knights have one of the best spines in the NRL and with Wayne Bennett in control they will be one of the leading contenders in 2012. They will be primed for that first game against the Saints."
"On paper the Rabbitohs have an outstanding side and with the arrival of Michael Maguire they'll finally click and we think Hasler's Bulldogs will account for Penrith."
In the other round one games, Brisbane ($1.85) will start the post-Darren Lockyer era as slight favourites against Parramatta ($1.95), Melbourne ($1.72) are expected to beat Canberra ($2.12) and the Cowboys are a short $1.40 against the Titans ($2.95).
While Todd Carney's arrival at Shark Park is predicted to boost Cronulla's fortunes in 2012, it's not enough to have them favourites in their clash with Wests Tigers.
They will start $2.55 outsiders against the Benji Marshall-led Tigers, who start at $1.50.
"The arrival of Todd Carney at the Sharks will give them a huge confidence boost but the Tigers look to have them covered across the park," Hawes declared.