The 2017 NRL season is set to be a big one with arguably the tightest race for the premiership in recent memory. There are a lot of teams in with a serious shot of being crowned champions which makes predicting a winner before the season very difficult. However, we have done our research and analysis as we offer our 2017 NRL season Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 NRL Ladder Prediction and Season Betting
To predict the exact order of the NRL ladder at the end of the regular season is next to impossible. There are hundreds of incidents that will change the course of a clubs season. However, we will use the NRL ladder prediction below to help you understand where we think each team will finish on the ladder and whether they are worth backing to make the 8 or finish outside of the finals picture.
Predicted 2017 NRL Ladder
1 Cronulla Sharks
2 Penrith Panthers
3 Melbourne Storm
4 North Queensland Cowboys
5 Canberra Raiders
6 New Zealand Warriors
7 Brisbane Broncos
8 Sydney Roosters
9 South Sydney Rabbitohs
10 Manly Sea Eagles
11 Gold Coast Titans
12 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
13 Parramatta Eels
14 Wests Tigers
15 Newcastle Knights
16 St George Illawarra
We have predicted the defending champions the Cronulla Sharks to finish on the top of the table to end the 2017 regular season. They will have a target on their back which will make it all the more difficult and they will lose a number of players through the year to State of Origin duty. However, last season they showed they have the depth to earn victories during this period and they will have their captain Paul Gallen for the first time through this tough stint. They have lost Michael Ennis at hooker but have been able to maintain the rest of their core other than of course Ben Barba. However, Valentine Holmes was destined to take over at fullback for the Shire boys and that progression has just been sped up.
TIP: Sharks to win the minor premiership – $13.00 at Sportsbet
We have also predicted the Penrith Panthers to finish in the top four. They have a great young side and if they are able to avoid injury they will finish in the top four. The side has the best young halves pairing in the game and Nathan Cleary showed last season he has the potential to be the best halfback in the game. Matt Moylan is going from strength to strength and Bryce Cartwright will continue to wreak havoc and create opportunities for his teammates.
TIP: Panthers to finish in the top four – $2.30 at CrownBet
The Bulldogs have reached the finals every year under Des Hasler but we are predicting that streak to come to an end in 2017. The side lacks the punch in attack and we don’t think the team will be able to get enough wins with Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds steering them around the park. Their forward pack is aging and we can’t see them reaching the finals.
TIP: Bulldogs to miss the eight – $1.70 at William Hill
The Newcastle Knights are massive favourites to end up on the bottom of the table for a third straight year. However, we believe the Novacastrians have a reason to be excited. Okay, we aren’t getting too carried away but we are saying they will finished in second last place, improvement is something. They had a number of injuries last season and while they will be without their most experienced player in Jarrod Mullen, it is a headache and uncertainty that is taken away. Trent Hodkinson will know who is halves partner will be as opposed to waiting on Mullen to return from an injury – something that has hampered him for the last three season. Meanwhile the Dragons have already lost their halfback Drew Hutchinson for the season and there are a lot of question marks surrounding who will partner Gareth Widdop in the halves. The side managed to have a respectable season last year on the back of their defence but their attack was second worst in the league. We are predicting them to finish last and coach Paul McGregor to be shown the door.
TIP: Dragons to have the most losses (wooden spoon) – $6.00 at Sporsbet
2017 NRL Premiership Betting
As we have predicted, the Panthers are real contenders for the title and the bookmakers have them as equal favourites. However, we can’t see a rookie side making it all the way through the finals and coming out on top on the big day. They are still a year or two away from lifting the premiership.
We are predicting a side who we think will finish outside the top four to come out on top and win their first club premiership – the New Zealand Warriors. The side has had issues with consistency in the past but that should all change when Kieran Foran takes to the field. They have Stephen Kearney coaching the side and Foran’s playstyle will be perfect alongside the flamboyant Shaun Johnson. To truly understand the impact Foran has on a side, all you have to do is look at how successful the Eels were when Foran was on the field and how poor the Sea Eagles were last year without him. Add to that Isaac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the side and the Warriors have points in them. They have a strong forward pack to put them in great positions and if they can learn to defend and put together 80-minute performances then they are going to be a tough team to beat.
TIP: Warriors 2017 NRL Premiership winners – $13.00 at Sportsbet
2017 Dally M Medal Winner
The Panthers success will be as a direct result of their spine and especially Matt Moylan. The fullback will take a lot of pressure off of his halves and he has the ability to lay on tries and score them himself. He will be involved in everything this season and if he can stay on the field he will be a hard man not to back to win his first Dally M medal.
TIP: Matt Moylan to win 2017 Dally M Medal – $12.00 at Sportsbet
We are predicting Shaun Johnson to have a huge season. As we mentioned, Foran will work well with Johnson and they have proved this at an international level. It will take all the pressure off Johnson in terms of steering the side around the park and it will allow him to choose when he wishes to get involved. He has the ability to win games and change the momentum in the way of his side with one play.
TIP: Shaun Johson to win 2017 Dally M Medal – $19.00 at Sportsbet
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