NRL Grand Final: Bookies split on Storm v Panthers betting odds

The NRL bookmaker are unable to decide between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers in next weekend’s grand final, after both won comprehensively in their preliminary finals.

Neds Bookmaker has both sides at -109.89 to win the NRL Premiership.

More specific markets give Penrith a slight edge, with the defending champions at -133.33 to win the first half, while Melbourne pay +105.

For much of the NRL season, the top rugby league bookmakers have had Penrith and Melbourne as the two favourites to win the title, and as expected, the Panthers and the Storm were both heavy winners over the Sharks and Roosters this weekend.

Melbourne played on Friday night and won 48-18 against the Roosters after a first-half blitz, which had them ahead 22-6 at half-time.

Jahrome Hughes was the star with a hat-trick inside an hour, while Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster also were impressive, each bagging a brace.

The one big blight on the Storm’s performance was the opening play, where prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona caught Lindsay Collins high and was subsequently banned by the NRL judiciary.

Unless an appeal is successful, the 28-year-old will not take part in the grand final.

For Penrith, they won a slightly tighter affair against Cronulla to book their place in an historic fifth consecutive grand final.

After an hour’s play at Accor Stadium, the Sharks were still in with a shot of causing an upset, trailing 10-6 after Sione Katoa scored.

However, the Panthers put on a fourth-quarter clinic, pulling away with two quick tries to Brian To’o and Paul Alamoti before Liam Martin sealed the 26-6 victory late.

The 2024 NRL grand final will be the third meeting this year between the Storm and Panthers, with Melbourne winning both previous encounters.

Their first clash was in round one, where the Storm shut out Penrith 8-0.

Most recently, they met in round 24, and Melbourne hung on in a tense final quarter to beat the Panthers 24-22 and all but secure the NRL Minor Premiership.

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