Brad Arthur the new Parramatta coach at the Parramatta offices , Parramatta.Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited
BRAD Arthur's mission to re-build Parramatta officially starts on Monday.
The rookie Eels coach will take charge in his first day of pre-season training with the added motivation of being written off by the biggest betting agency in Australia.
Released to the public today, The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the TAB's 2014 NRL betting markets, which indicates who the punters believe will fail or fly next season.
The Eels have been installed as firm favourites to claim their third straight wooden spoon and $81 rank outsiders to finish next season as minor premiers.
$2.50 favourites to record the most losses in 2014, Parramatta are just ahead of Mick Potter's Wests Tigers ($5) and then St George Illawarra ($7).
Not that Arthur is fazed by the bookies back-hander.
The rookie coach has hardly wiped the smile off his face since being announced as the replacement to Canberra's Ricky Stuart, last month.
And no bookmaker is going to alter the optimism he has for the Eels next season.
"At the end of the day they've got to put a market up someone has to be at that end of the scale,'' Arthur said.
"I suppose it doesn't put any pressure on us.
"All we're going to do is make sure we give our best every week, we're going to be positive with our approach and we'll see where that takes us.
"When you have six new players come into this squad that come from six different organisations and structures, they all offer different skill sets, different training mentalities and then you've got all those young kids that were given a go in first grade over the last year or two mixed in with the older and experienced boys, I think it's a really good balance and one I'm excited about.''
For the first time in 10 years, the Tigers will start a season without Benji Marshall.
Marshall's exit to rugby union has allowed Potter to get busy in the player market, signing the likes of Dene Halatau, Cory Paterson, Martin Tapau, Blake Austin, Pat Richards and Keith Lulia.
Rising star Luke Brooks will also be entrusted to fill Marshall's void, which is why the bookies believe the Tigers are in for another tough season.
"Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Martin Tapau and Keith Galloway, a lot of clubs would be happy to have that forward pack,'' Balmain legend Steve Roach said.
"Throw in Jesse Sue, whose a potential gun and Curtis Sironen as well and the Tigers are on the improve.
"But the trick for the Tigers will be playing the full 80 minutes, they are competitive for sixty minutes but need to maintain that pressure for the entire match, which is hard to do when you've got so many young guys still learning to play in the NRL.''
TAB's Matt Jenkins said the money teams, like the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney, Manly and Brisbane will all lure punters into breaking out their wallets ahead of a new season.
"Winning back-to-back premierships has always proved so difficult, but interest for the Sydney Roosters to win again definitely peaked after SBW re-signed,'' Jenkins said.
"Daly Cherry Evans remains the key to Manly's success, he has only missed the one game in three years and can't afford to be without him.
"We expect the Brisbane Broncos to be the big improvers and team to watch in 2014. Ben Barba should shine in his new surroundings.''
The TAB have also released markets on the top 8, top 4 and minor premiership with 2013 finalists Newcastle, North Queensland and Cronulla all under $2 to make the top 8.
The Sydney Roosters are firm premiership favourites to go back-to-back ($5) followed by the Rabbitohs ($7), Sea Eagles ($8) and Storm ($8).
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Arthur's Eels battling long odds
Dengan url
http://sportfoxer.blogspot.com/2013/11/arthurs-eels-battling-long-odds.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Arthur's Eels battling long odds
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Arthur's Eels battling long odds
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar