NRL 2024: Canterbury Bulldogs’ premiership odds slashed after six wins from their last eight games
After round six this season, bookmakers pushed the Bulldogs out to $81 to win the NRL premiership. Now after six wins from their last eight, their odds have been slashed as the high-flying Canterbury have suddenly become the Dogs of Soar.
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High-flying Canterbury have suddenly become the Dogs of Soar.
Remarkably, the Bulldogs have tightened 64 points in premiership betting over the past 14 weeks and are now the best-backed team to reach the NRL finals.
After a Round 6 loss to Melbourne, TAB bookmakers pushed the friendless Bulldogs out to a whopping $81 to win the NRL premiership.
Yet after six wins from their past eight games, including Saturday’s exhilarating 41-16 win against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, Canterbury is now into $17 to win the competition, sitting on the fourth line of betting alongside Cronulla and North Queensland.
It has been an extraordinary turnaround for a club sitting fifth and charging headfirst towards a top four finish.
And it sets up a blockbuster against Canberra this Sunday at the club’s spiritual home, Belmore Sports Ground, which should be an 18,000 sell out.
Is it time for the rugby league world to concede that Canterbury - who won just seven games last season - is now a premiership threat?
“And we expect Canterbury to get more support from punters. They are a big club that punters get behind when they’re going well,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“The Bulldogs got out to $81 and there was actually some interest pre-season for them in the most losses market.
“I don’t think people were quite convinced about them. The club has gone on two buying sprees over the past two years but some thought it could go horribly wrong.
“Canterbury was as well backed to miss the eight as they were to make the eight. It takes a lot to convince punters but the Bulldogs are starting to show they are the real deal six weeks out from the finals.”
The Bulldogs opened this season paying $34 to win the premiership and $1.38 to miss the top eight.
They are now the best backed club to play finals footy this season, particularly with Brisbane’s horrid slide from contention.
The Bulldogs haven’t been a shorter price in betting this season yet they only hold three per cent of the premiership pool.
“Canterbury is a side that looks like they’ll definitely make the finals,” Welsh said. “There is often a team that misses the eight one year but makes the top four the following season.
“We were thinking it would be Souths, we weren’t expecting the Bulldogs.
“The money they’re holding is lower than expected but you have to consider there is so much money tied up with Penrith, Roosters, Storm and Broncos.
“On the next level are Manly and Bulldogs, who are starting to create a bit of attention.”
Penrith remains $3 premiership favourites ahead of Melbourne ($3.75) and the Sydney Roosters ($4).
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