The odds are always pretty volatile to start with.
When I looked at it on Friday, you could take the best odds for each team from a number of different betting agencies and actually spread bets on each team so that you could only ever win.
It is pretty unusual that you can have a guaranteed result with betting, but it is possible at the moment. But you get slightly less than a 1% return for your money (which is below inflation and less than most savings accounts) so it is not really a money maker.
Sharks still spoon favs. Interesting.
I know I'm biased, but the Sharks never really threatened for the spoon this year IMHO, and had as much disruption to key players as any other poorly performed team. And the Sharks squad looks to have added some class and depth (all fans like to think that before a season starts though). I'm not saying the Sharks will be world beaters in 2012, but favourites for the spoon seems a bit much.
I guess the Raiders will have more Campese (and Dugan), and the Eels and Titans have also bolstered their squads fairly well. The Roosters looked good at the end of the year and Penrith have Cleary and hopefully their backline will stay fit. I guess the Sharks are last in premiership betting with a lot of agencies on tradition, and the other "no hopers" looking better...
I think some of the other clubs could actually have a collapse year and get the spoon. Broncos, Souths, Bulldogs and Tigers all have doubts over halves, and a key injury could give them a very inexperienced halves pairing. Manly could self destruct, Dragons were sliding a long time at the end of this season. I only think NZ, Storm and Knights are relatively safe as a top 8 option, and any other team could make the finals or get the spoon. Makes the long odds for some teams pretty juicy for some fans.
