TAB takes more money on Wests Tigers to win NRL premiership than Manly and Roosters
Despite claiming the past three successive wooden spoons - winning just 14 from 72 games since the start of 2022 – Wests Tigers have received plenty of market support following a brutal Benji Marshall call.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The dismal days of failure may finally be over at Concord.
A new hard line stance from under-pressure coach Benji Marshall - coupled with a remarkable buying spree - has frustrated Wests Tigers fans finally dreaming about a fairytale repeat of 2005.
Despite claiming the past three successive wooden spoons - winning just 14 from 72 games since the start of 2022 – Wests Tigers have leapt three places away from wooden spoon favouritism, according to TAB.
And, extraordinarily, the TAB has taken more money on Wests Tigers to win the NRL premiership than heavyweights Manly and Sydney Roosters.
The renewed interest comes after a fed-up Marshall breached five players earlier this month for failing to meet off-season fitness benchmarks. It appears Marshall is also playing hardball with out-of-favour Englishman, John Bateman.
Marshall’s no nonsense approach appears to have resonated with fans and punters.
TAB bookies have just released a wooden spoon market with St George Illawarra $5 favourites to record most losses next season ahead of Canberra ($6.50) and Wests Tigers ($7.50).
The shock development comes as Wests Tigers prepare to announce a major sponsor, rumoured to be consumer finance company, Pepper Money.
With a new sponsor splashed across the front, Wests Tigers may use replica ’05 jerseys to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the club’s famous grand final win. There are suggestions the deal is worth $850,000 a season.
Wests Tigers were $3 favourites for the 2024 wooden spoon and equal $3.50 favourites with St George Illawarra in 2022.
“Benji’s hard line stance on training standards may have resonated a little with punters as Wests Tigers have actually taken more money than the Roosters and Manly to win the premiership at $41,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“The Tigers price probably comes as a relief to their fans for a change. They’ve obviously been boosted by Jarome Luai’s signing and will start $7.50 third favourite to finish with ‘most losses’ behind the Dragons and Raiders.
“Wests Tigers have been the perennial spoon favourites, hovering between that $2.50 to $4 mark since 2021, and only really threatened by the Dragons of the past couple of seasons, although the Titans have flirted with the comp’s most unwanted tag a few times since 2020.”
Wests Tigers’ recruitment for 2025 has been stunning with the club luring Luai, Jack Bird, Royce Hunt, Terrell May, Jeral Skelton and Sunia Turuva to Concord.
Welsh claims the 2025 wooden spoon has become the most perplexing question in rugby league.
“It’s probably the most open field in close to a decade. Half of the competition is $15 or under with TAB,” he said.
“Usually there are one or two standouts for the wooden spoon, as evidenced by the Tigers dominating the ‘most losses’ market for the past three years.
“But next season could really head anywhere and there are a lot of price changes in the first month of the competition. There’s definitely some value on offer with question marks hanging over plenty of clubs, not just those at the top of this market, but sides like Parramatta, Gold Coast and Dolphins.
“The Raiders look to have copped a pretty tough draw and there’s fears their roster could really struggle next season, while the Dragons go up at $5 which again is still pretty wide for this market.
“The loss of Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax were a big factor in St George Illawarra’s pricing and punters will be cautiously watching how the trial form transpires because they have also added some experience in Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson and Val Holmes.
“Premiership betting has been dominated by Melbourne with more than 35 per cent of the money, from Penrith, with a quarter of the outlays. The Broncos are third best backed and will likely take more investments with Ben Hunt rejoining the club, while Souths are fourth most popular at $17.”
Wests Tigers play Newcastle in round one next season at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
More Coverage
Originally published as TAB takes more money on Wests Tigers to win NRL premiership than Manly and Roosters
Best 17, rookies to watch: Bulldogs primed for premiership charge
There’s something special about Canterbury heading into 2025. PAMELA WHALEY breaks down the issues facing the club, the rookies to watch and more in our deep dive into the Bulldogs.
Milford signs with Brisbane Broncos feeder club
Former Broncos and Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford has made a last-ditch effort to revive his NRL career, signing with one of Brisbane’s feeder clubs.