The sharp punters have opened their shoulders early and honed in on North Queensland and South Sydney as the teams to beat in Week 1 of the NRL Finals.

The Cowboys have been crunched from $1.52 to $1.45 at Sportingbet.com.au  to beat Brisbane ($2.55 to $2.80), with the line on the game moving from 5.5 to 6.5 points.

“As soon as we hung the line on the Cowboys/Broncos game they piled on North Queensland at the minus,” Sportingbet’s Andrew Brown said.

“Punters are even picking their own line to get bigger odds and we’re seeing strong support for the Cowboys to win by nine points or more.”

South Sydney has shortened from $1.50 to $1.45 at Sportingbet.com.au to beat Manly ($2.60 to $2.80), while the line on the game has moved from 6 to 6.5 points.

“The money has been coming in at a rate of ten to one in favour of Souths and they’ll be starting a lot shorter come Friday if that trend continues.”

In the other games, Sydney is $1.26 against Penrith at $3.90, while Melbourne is $1.30 to beat Canterbury at $3.55.

For Sportingbet’s Week 1 NRL Finals markets visit https://www.sportingbet.com.au/rugby-league/8954774/d/manly-vs-south-sydney

2014 NRL Finals Week 1

Sportingbet.com.au markets

Manly $2.80

South Sydney $1.45

Sydney $1.26

Penrith $3.90

North QLD $1.45

Brisbane $2.80

Melbourne $1.30

Canterbury $3.55