NRL: Melbourne & Penrith start as joint favourites

Steven Hughes
Penrith Panthers NRL

NRL champions Penrith Panthers have been named as the favourites to win the Grand Final for a second straight year, along with Melbourne Storm.

The Panthers get their 2022 NRL campaign underway on Thursday against Manly in the first game of the new season. Meanwhile, Melbourne get their campaign started on Saturday as they face Wests Tigers.

Both are listed at four-to-one with SkyBet.

Meanwhile, Syndey Roosters have been listed at five-to-one while Manly are also available at short odds. SkyBet are offering them odds of six-to-one.

Last year’s Grand Final runners-up South Sydney are available at eight-to-one.

Parramatta, Cronulla and Canberra are all available at 12, 14 and 16 to one respectively.

At longer odds are Gold Coast, Brisbane, Canterbury, Newcastle, St George and New Zealand Warriors. They are all available at 20, 25, 28 and 33 to one.

The joint longest odds go to North Queensland and Wests, who are both available at 50 to one.

Full Grand Final winners odds

Penrith Panthers- 4/1

Melbourne Storm- 4/1

Sydney Roosters- 5/1

Manly Sea Eagles- 6/1

South Sydney Rabbitohs- 8/1

Parramatta Eels- 12/1

Cronulla Sharks- 14/1

Canberra Raiders- 16/1

Gold Coast Titans- 20/1

Brisbane Broncos- 25/1

Canterbury Bulldogs- 25/1

Newcastle Knights- 28/1

St George Illawarra Dragons- 28/1

New Zealand Warriors- 33/1

North Queensland Cowboys- 50/1

Wests Tigers- 50/1

NRL coach to miss season opener with Covid

Cronulla Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon will miss his side’s opening game due to a positive Covid result.

The side travel to Canberra Raiders in round one of the NRL season.

Fitzgibbon, 44, is expected to return for round two for Cronulla’s clash with Parramatta Eels in the NRL.

The Sharks have experienced assistants in Steve Price, Josh Hannay and Daniel Holdsworth on board to oversee match day responsibilities and the team’s final training sessions.

“After a carefully planned pre-season, most of the preparations are complete and we have three more than capable coaches to take care of the group for a couple of days. Steve, Josh and DJ will relay the final instructions and get the boys ready for Canberra on Friday,” Fitzgibbon said.

Read More: NRL coach to miss season opener with Covid

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