Sea Eagles: How punters rate their 2019 premiership chances

HE Sea Eagles have support among football punters to make the top eight in 2019 following the appointment of Des Hasler as coach.

Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans will be a key figure for the club in 2019. Picture: Mark Nolan/ Getty Images.

• Sea Eagle Lloyd Perrett’s new lease of life

HE Sea Eagles have support among football punters to make the top eight in 2019 following the appointment of Des Hasler as coach.

But they have created little excitement to win the premiership

When the TAB opened their NRL premiership markets on September 30 the Sea Eagles were favourites to take the wooden spoon at $34.

“After a disappointing season the club was quick to provide some certainty for the players ahead of pre-season, bringing former coach Des Hasler back as head coach by the end of October,” said TAB’s Gerard Middleton.

“This announcement did little to convince punters of increased on-field success in 2019 though, with the team’s NRL premiership odds remaining unchanged since the market opened.”

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images.

The Sea Eagles are one of only three team to have held the same price over the course of the off-season until today- along with the premiership favourites the Roosters as well as the Storm.

The Sea Eagles hold just 3 per cent of the money in the TAB premiership market with the biggest bet $200.

In contrast, Manly are one of the more popular teams in the “to Make the Top 8” market at $3.25 with punters seeing value in that.

“With a revamped squad and a desire to improve on this year it will be interesting to see how the Sea Eagles go in 2019,”: Middleton said

Sea Eagles star fullback Tom Trbojevic. Picture: Getty Images.

“But with a first round match-up against a Wests Tigers side that will almost certainly have something to prove, kicking the season off with a win won’t be an easy task for Manly and our odds reflect that.”

Captain Daly Cherry-Evans is rated the team’s best chance of winning the Daly M Medal at $34, the eighth line of betting.

Star fullback Tom Trbojevic is the next best chance at $51 with Marty Taupau, Api Koriosau and Dylan Walker in the market at $101 plus.

‘