NRL - 2008 Season Preview

The Rugby League season is just about to kick off so its time to throw on some future bets so you can say you backed the winner before the first ball was kicked or the first tackle made. Log on to Partybets.com for all prices and markets.

Let's first talk of the reigning premiers the Melbourne Storm. They were simply the best team last year and never looked like being beaten. They will be as good this year with the only question of how much the competition has caught up. The loss of Matt King to England is a set back but players like Israel Folau and Inglis will have only improved after an intensive off season. The only problem is the short price on offer.

Parramatta is certainly my value pick. They are a young team chocked with talent who will be hungry and experienced by their loss in last year's grand final. They are also well coached and the pick of the Sydney teams. The other Sydney team worth a look at would be Manly who had a great season last year. They are solid especially up front but there is still a question on whether Orford and co has enough sparks to trouble quality opposition. South Sydney will continue to improve and excite and even though it is hard to see them win this year they should make the final 8 and are good value to do so.

The Cowboys and Broncos both have realistic chances. It was strange that the second favorites in the betting, the Cowboys, have already sacked their coach for 2009. This aside, they have a great side and a huge home field advantage. The Broncos also loose their coach, the man of a thousand words, Wayne Bennett at the end of the year. Make do doubt he is loved in Brisbane and they will be ultra hard to beat if they have a reasonable season and finish high up the ladder.

The wooden spoon betting seems to be between Newcastle and Canberra. Newcastle has the worst coach in the history of football but Canberra has the weakest list so very hard to split. The other team fancied is the Gold Coast Titans but I think they will do enough to escape this dubious honour in their second year in the competition.

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