- Penrith (+275) is favored to win the NRL Premiership for the fourth-consecutive year
- South Sydney (+850) is a strong longshot with the addition of Jack Wighton and Keaon Koloamatangi
- ACCOR Stadium in Sydney, Australia will host the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 6, 2024
Penrith rallied from a 24-8 deficit against Brisbane in the NRL Grand Final to become the first club in 40 years to capture three-straight premierships. While Nathan Cleary’s Panthers are favored to four-peat this year, the Broncos return a strong squad capable of winning its first title since 2006.
Before we examine the NRL futures, check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2024 and get our 2024 Six Nations Rugby Championship picks.
2024 NRL Grand Final Winner
Penrith’s path to a four-peat
Nathan Clearly scored the winning try to cap off a 16-point comeback in a 26-24 victory over the Broncos last October. Looking to smash a near six-decade record with another championship in 2024, Penrith (+275) has the depth to win four in a row.
At only 26, Clearly is primed for another dominant season and Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris are all back in the fold. Star five-eighth Jarome Luai will also return to the Panthers for one more year before joining the Tigers in 2025. Will anyone disrupt this dynasty?
3 more weeks! 😏 pic.twitter.com/TQoapx6OXJ
— NRL (@NRL) February 11, 2024
Broncos heartbreak
Can Brisbane (+350) recover from last October’s collapse in the NRL Grand Final? The club lost Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to the Dolphins in the offseason, so they’ll be short some offensive firepower.
However, dynamic finisher Selwyn Cobbo is expected to move to the centres to fill in for Farnsworth. And their young stars, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, should only be better with another year of experience under their belt. Breaking a 17-year title drought is still well within reach for the Broncos.
Premiership contenders
South Sydney (+850) fell short of a finals spot in 2023, but the addition of Jack Wighton makes for a lethal backline. The Rabbitohs can hopefully count on improved health from Latrell Mitchell and Tevita Tatola this year. Meanwhile, Alex Johnston only needs 26 tries to break Ken Irvine’s all-time scoring record.
After earning a berth in the semi-finals last season, Sydney (+900) added the NRL’s top try-scorer, Dominic Young, to the fold. Captain James Tedesco is no longer one of the league’s top fullbacks, but the Roosters are solid in the halves (Luke Keary and Sam Walker) and in the centres (Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii).
The Rabbitohs are set to make a lethal switch to their lineup which will terrify rivals this season 👀
JIMMY BRINGS 👉 https://t.co/VGhfXdiT9u pic.twitter.com/UxV01nbsQZ
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) February 15, 2024
Best Longshot
Manly (+2800) recruited Tigers halfback Luke Brooks to join forces with Daly Cherry-Evans, one of Australia’s premier halves. Star player Tom Trbojevic also missed most of 2023 with an injury. At worst, Brooks should break his 11-season finals drought, At best, the sleeping-giant Sea Eagles could make a surprising run to the premiership.
Best Bet
While Penrith is the logical pick, we’ll take the Rabbitohs at +850. With the addition of Keaon Koloamatangi, South Sydney has a scary left side combination and formidable strike power.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
