Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson declared the title race wide open and his Eels genuine contenders after premiership favouritism went out the window with St George Illawarra's upset loss in the NRL qualifying finals.
The Eels set up a second-week showdown with notoriously poor travellers Gold Coast and consigned the Dragons to a sudden-death trip to Suncorp Stadium to play Brisbane next Saturday night after the minor premiers were stunned 25-12 by Parramatta at WIN Jubilee Oval yesterday.
The flow-on effect was Melbourne joining the Bulldogs in securing a passage through to week three of the finals, while reigning premier Manly has been left to make Mad Monday plans as it joined the Dragons of 2004 in becoming just the second team to be eliminated after losing the fourth versus fifth opening-week showdown.
The results left the Storm as ACTTAB's new $3.25 premiership favourite, the Eels who were once out to $150 to win the grand final now on the second line at $3.50, while former favourites the Dragons ($7.50) are only ahead of the Titans ($26) as outsiders.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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