NRL bookies give Roosters edge over Storm despite round 20 defeat

The Melbourne Storm handed the Sydney Roosters a comprehensive defeat on Saturday night, thrashing their fellow NRL top four side 24-8 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

The clash was being billed as a test of both teams’ title credentials, with the Storm sitting top of the table and the Roosters in fourth.

Melbourne passed the test with flying colours, dominating the match throughout for a 16-point victory.

However, NRL bookmakers still have Sydney as a better chance of winning the Premiership this season. The Roosters pay $4, while the Storm are behind on $4.33.

Melbourne Storm get off to fast start

The Storm came out of the blocks firing in Saturday night’s blockbuster, running in two tries in the space of three minutes early on in the match.

First, Jack Howarth crossed after 13 minutes, with Grant Anderson picking up his first just minutes later for a 10-0 lead.

The winger would go on to have one of the best matches of his life, bagging another try late in the first half. Anderson made 10 runs in total for 151 meters, 20 of which were post-contact.

Perhaps his best touch was without the ball, however. Late in the match Dom Young seemed certain to score, but a try-saving tackle from Anderson kept the Storm winger out.

Anderson was denied a hattrick by the bunker as well, with a knock on being detected in the build up to a beautiful Josh King banana kick which Anderson scored off.

Big lead at the top ladder for Melbourne Storm

With less than two months to go until NRL finals footy begins, the Melbourne Storm are well-placed to secure the Minor Premiership in 2024.

The 2020 champions sit in top spot, clear of the second-placed Penrith Panthers – who are yet to play this weekend – by six points.

Melbourne have now won six matches in a row, and have a gentle run to the finals as well, with four of their remaining seven games against non-top eight sides.

However, the Panthers still hold top spot in the bookies’ eyes, with the three-time defending champions sitting on $3 with Neds to win their fourth consecutive title.

Sports news