Events / Editor / 21 August 2007 / Leave a comment

The National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australia, reaches its climax on September 30 with the Grand Final - a traditional betting thriller.

Craig Bellamy's Melbourne Storm head the betting at the top of the table, as the domestic season reaches the business end and their odds suggest they could again land the top prize.

The Olympic Park outfit last won the Premiership when they landed the odds in 1999 - just one year after they were established - and those with a bet on them had Matt Geyer to thank as he ended the season notching up 242 points in 26 games (20 tries, 81 goals).

The top eight teams contest the finals phase of the competition and are included in the betting with where they finished in the table reflecting their odds. The Manly Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys, Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors, Wests Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs are all fancied in the top eight betting.

Those who like to bet on Brisbane Broncos will be biting their nails as they are big odds to make the play-offs after 15 successive finals series since 1991.

The Broncos have won the most Premierships since the NRL's inception - 1998, 2000 and 2006 - and are the only team to have won the NRL championship more than once.

The Bulldogs hold the record for the most consecutive wins of 17 between 31 March 2002 and 3 August 2002 and will be a popular bet again.

There will also be many bets on Parramatta, who hold the record for the highest score and margin of victory in a 74-4 win over Cronulla Sharks in 2003. They have seen their NRL Grand Final odds strengthened by the news that key halfback Tim Smith should be fit to play out the season, despite dislocating his shoulder.

The most victories achieved within a season are 20, held jointly between the Eels in 2001, the Bulldogs in 2002 and the Storm in 2006 - however, those looking to have a bet should note none of these teams went on to win the Grand Final and odds should be checked for value.

All of which points to a fascinating end-of-season betting bonanza before the final siren of the domestic season is heard and all bets are settled.