NRL Round 1 odds released as Roosters firm in flag betting

THE 2018 NRL fixture list is out, and online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has wasted no time posting odds for the opening round.

The campaign will commence on Thursday, March 8 at Jubilee Stadium, where St George Illawarra and Brisbane cannot be split.

North Queensland are expected to bounce back from their grand final defeat with a first-up win over Cronulla, while joint NRL Premiership favourites Melbourne and Sydney should kick off their flag fight with two points apiece.

“There’s no separating the Storm and the Roosters to win the grand final and we’re tipping they’ll both get off to a flyer in their opening matches,” said Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.

2018 NRL Round One matches

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Brisbane Broncos

$1.90 – Dragons

$1.90 – Broncos

Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Sea Eagles

$2.15 – Knights

$1.70 – Manly

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks

$1.50 – Cowboys

$2.60 – Sharks

Wests Tigers vs. Sydney Roosters

$3.50 – Tigers

$1.30 – Roosters

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. New Zealand Warriors

$1.60 – Souths

$2.35 – Warriors

Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Storm

$3.30 – Bulldogs

$1.33 – Storm

Penrith Panthers vs. Parramatta Eels

$1.65 – Panthers

$2.25 – Eels

Gold Coast Titans vs. Canberra Raiders

$2.20 – Titans

$1.67 – Raiders

2018 NRL Grand Final winner

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet

$6 – Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters

$7 – North Queensland Cowboys

$11 – Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers

$13 – Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Eels, South Sydney Rabbitohs

$15 – Manly Sea Eagles, St George Illawarra Dragons

$26 – Canterbury Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights

$34 – Gold Coast Titans, New Zealand Warriors, Wests Tigers