They’re the team no one wants to play in the finals – Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm clinically disposed of fellow top 4 aspirant Penrith last night, forcing online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au to bring their price in from $8.00 to $7.00 to take out the premiership after they got out to as much as $21 back in June.

The 24-10 win was also significant in Melbourne’s attempt to finish in the top 4, with Sportsbet winding them in from $3.60 to $3.00.

That price will come in significantly further if the Storm can get past the Roosters this Saturday, where they’ve been installed $2.25 outsiders.

“Any side with the core group of superstars Melbourne has is going to be a danger in the big games. If they can overcome the in-form Roosters, they should sneak into the top 4 which is so crucial when it comes to premiership betting,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Christian Jantzen.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Prices in brackets from 20/8/14)

Top 4 Finish

$1.01   Rabbitohs        (steady)

$1.05   Roosters          (in from $1.30)

$1.30   Panthers          (out from $1.20)

$3.00   Storm              (in from $3.60)

$7.00   Bulldogs          (steady)

$9.50   Cowboys          (in from $11)

$51      Eels                  (in from $101)

NRL Grand Final Winner

$3.75   Rabbitohs       (out from $3.50)     

$4.00   Sea Eagles       (out from $3.75)

$4.00   Roosters          (in from $5.00)

$7.00   Storm              (in from $8.00)

$10      Cowboys          (in from $14)

$15      Bulldogs          (out from $14)

$21      Panthers          (steady)

$26      Eels                  (in from $51)

$51      Warriors          (out from $23)

$51      Broncos           (in from $67)

$151    Dragons           (steady)