The NRL season is just around the corner and Betseeker has all the best futures plays season 2024.
Best Bet
The Sharks are an obscenely good bet to make the Top 8. Their true price is $1.25 yet markets opened around $1.90. They have been bet into $1.75 and will continue to shorten. Ignore their opening trial. Even if the Sharks are a below average team, they are making the Top 8 on an incredibly easy draw. Team continuity does not hurt either. Jump on as soon as possible.
Next Best
Melbourne have missed the Top 4 just three times in the Craig Bellamy era so the natural starting point has to be that they will make it. They were very poor last year but still finished third and they had plenty of excuses. The Storm get Ryan Papenhuyzen back and they still have arguably the best spine in the NRL. They will need some luck with injuries but with teams not jumping out of the pack to catch them, the Storm are a great play.
Next Best
Brisbane are hugely overrated this year and the best way to be against them is to play the Broncos to miss the Top 4. They have lost four of their best 17 and the losses of Farnworth has led to a reshuffle and of Capewell and Flegler has severely hurt their depth. Teams off a Grand Final loss suffer the next season. With an average coach, the Broncos look set for a turn south.
Next Best
Penrith are a ridiculous 77-14-1 in the regular season over the last four years. They have won three minor premierships over that span and incredibly lost it in 2021 with a 21-3 record. They went 18-6 last year but their real win number has them underrated by a win. Brisbane are likely heading backwards. This should be close to even money.
Value Bet
The Dolphins have recruited as well as any team in the premiership. Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo are a huge upgrade in the centres. Tom Flegler is an international coming off a behemoth Grand Final performance, adding to a tough, veteran pack. The Dolphins will be keen to send Wayne out on a high and this team has the talent to go a long way in 2024.
Value Bet
Canberra have not won a wooden spoon since their foundation year but one look at their roster and they are right in the mix in 2024. They have an abhorrent spine. Ricky Stuart has totally misplaced where the team is at. The club’s best player departed for less money. There is little certainty over positions in the backline. There is no depth. Things can go bad very quickly for a Raiders team that was one of the most overrated in 2023, a true draw beneficiary.