NRL Grand Final Is A Perfect Storm In The Making

Released on: September 30, 2009, 7:06 am
Author: Ross Prowd
Industry: Sports

Australian Punters Install Melbourne Storm as Favourites for NRL Grand Final

Sydney, Australia October 1, 2009: The 2009 NRL Grand Final between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels is being touted as the showdown of the fullbacks. The teams are represented by two of the competition’s most potent attacking players in Billy Slater and Jarryd Haynes. Billy Slater is in career best form, scoring eight tries in his last four games including a double last Saturday night in Melbourne’s impressive demolition of Brisbane Broncos. Jarryd Haynes has stamped himself one of the brightest stars in rugby league this season culminating in his winning the Dally M Award for NRL Player of the Year.

One of the best players in the competition in Storm centre, Greg Inglis, has been overshadowed by the form of Billy Slater, but will no doubt play an important part if Melbourne Storm is to triumph. Inglis is potentially one of the most dangerous players on the field, while other Storm players like halves combination of Cooper Kronk and Brett Finch can both find the try line. For Parramatta Eels, winger Eric Grothe and the club’s leading point scorer, Luke Burt will test the Melbourne defence.

Melbourne Storm approach this year’s NRL Grand Final with few injury worries. In contrast, Parramatta Eels’ captain, Nathan Cayless looked no chance of making the Grand Final when he limped off during their finals win against the Bulldogs last Friday night. Cayless will have an extensive fitness test on Saturday to decide whether he will take the field against Melbourne. The loss of Cayless would be a big blow to Parramatta as his leadership has been instrumental in their surge to the Grand Final.

Melbourne is a short priced favorite to win the game. “Grand Final Betting has been brisk, and is only going to get more frantic as we approach one of the most exciting finals in recent years,” said Dafydd Lewis, Betfair Australia’s spokesman.

Betfair is offering a special Billy Slater vs Jarryd Haynes match up in their Grand Final betting options.

Dafydd Lewis believes that the Melbourne Storm captain, Cameron Smith is one of the keys to the match. “Cameron Smith was devastated when he missed last year’s Grand Final through suspension. That blow was felt by the Storm who will be desperate to make up for that big loss to Manly,” said Mr Lewis.

There are plenty of players in each team that could turn the NRL Grand Final. Mr Lewis said, “NRL Grand Final Betting is unique in that it offers odds on each player in the game to score a try. Obviously, both Slater and Haynes have their backers, but both sides have other attacking options.”

“Many fans look closely at statistics,” said Mr. Lewis, “and the season has come up with some surprising ones that may influence how we see the event. Given that Melbourne finished higher on the ladder than Parramatta, the head to head stats are a lot closer than one might think due to the Eels storming finish to the season. The last two NRL Grand Finals have seen big scores, but this year we might see a much closer result.”

About BetFair
Betfair Australia provides online sports betting tips with insight and advice from expert tipsters on various sports including horse racing, greyhound racing, harness racing, AFL, NRL, rugby and more. Betfair offers a range of NRL Grand Final betting options including how the first points are scored, margins, the Clive Churchill medallist for best player of the Grand Final, and the special Billy Slater and Jarryd Haynes match up. For more information, visit http://betting.betfair.com.au.

Contact Details: Ross Prowd,
Progold Thoroughbreds,
65/102 Bourbong St.
Bundaberg Qld 4670.
Australia
Ph: +61 (0) 412 712 181
email: lrprowd@bigpond.com