The Premiership Race
The race for the 2010 National Rugby League Telstra Premiership and the National Youth Competition (Under 20s) has began with the eight not sown up yet with the top four still wide open with the Dragons only having a two point lead over the next three teams. The Dragons on 30 points whilst the Panthers , Roosters and Tigers on 28 with the Titans also not far behind on 26 , Manly share a three way tie with the Broncos and Warriors also on 24 points.
Meanwhile just outside the eight are teams like the Rabbitohs and Eels on 22 and Knights and Raiders on 20 as for the other clubs its mathematical chances only to see them in the top eight this year.
The season was thrown wide open with the announcement that the Melbourne Storm would lose all of their 2010 premiership points now they find themselves languishing at the foot of the table with 0 points following on from there premiership success from last year although clouded.
This was due to the fact that the Melbourne club had breached the salary cap over the last 5 years.
Round 21 (Updated Aug 04)
1. Dragons 30
2. Panthers 28
3. Roosters 28
4. Tigers 28
5. Titans 26
6. Sea Eagles 24
7. Broncos 24
8. Warriors 24
9. Rabbitohs 22
10. Eels 22
11. Knights 20
12. Raiders 20
13. Bulldogs 18
14. Cowboys 14
15. Sharks 14
16. Storm * 0
* Melbourne Storm have been stripped of all premiership points for the 2010 season
This year we have teams who have improved from the previous years for example we have teams like the Sydney Roosters whom are currently in the top 4 as of this coming round whom where wooden spooners last year, other clubs like the Panthers, Tigers and Warriors teams who where on the brink of the 8 last year find themselves entrenched in the 8.
Whilst teams like the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Sharks find themselves looking towards next season while possibly trying new combination's , new moves and teams are more then likely looking to whom is off contract from other sides within the competition.
As history has been noticed by the punters that the Dragons although the fans dont see it that the team is known for the odd choke in the big games although the team is a good side they just cant put it together on the big games.
I pick on the dragons as you cant go past the fact that they were minor premiers last year and went out in the finals series in straight sets.
As for the other teams like the Panthers, Warriors, Tigers and Roosters wouldn't know what finals football is like as they haven't tasted this sort of football in a few years in Penrith's case they haven't tasted finals football since 2004, Warriors since 2008 and the Tigers haven't had finals football since 2005 when they became premiers of the national rugby league.
The Sportsbet agencies have the Dragons outright favorite and this is understandable considering they have been the proclaimed bench mark.
The current premiership odds are
St George Illawarra Dragons 4.00
Sydney Roosters 6.00
Brisbane Broncos 6.50
Penrith Panthers 7.50
Manly Sea Eagles 8.50
Wests Tigers 10.00
Parramatta Eels 14.00
Gold Coast Titans 15.00
New Zealand Warriors 23.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 29.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 81.00
Newcastle Knights 126.00
Canberra Raiders 151.00
If I was a betting man I would consider backing the Panthers or the Roosters with the odds they have to win the competition.
Briefly i will discuss the Toyota cup who are the chances in the under 20s quest for glory, The teams whom are on course for glory are:
Unlike there first grade team the boys from North Queensland are leading contenders for the minor premiership
Whilst it hasn't been a good year for Melbourne with there under 20's on course for the wooden spoon.
Other teams who are a chance for this title include: The New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Rabbotohs and Raiders to name a few.
So to some this up i feel that the Roosters are a chance considering current form and the possibility to take the double on grand final day.
719 words including title.
Reference:
http://www.foxsports.com.au
For both the NRL and NYC tables
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com
For information regarding last time teams where in a final series.