The Melbourne Storm’s hectic early schedule is proving to be of little concern to punters who have backed the Premiers from $6.50 into $5 to be leading the NRL competition after 13 rounds.

The Storm, who play 2 of their first 4 NRL games of the season in warm conditions in Queensland after spending 3 weeks in chilly Britain, are favourites to be the 2013 NRL Halfway leader in front of Canterbury at $6.50 and Cronulla and South Sydney, both at $8.

“Punters expect them to jump out of the blocks just like they’ve done in previous seasons,” Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said.

“They’ve been the best backed team to be topping the table at the halfway mark and plenty think they’ll still be on top come the end of the regular season,” Sullivan said.

Melbourne is a $4 favourite to be minor premiers ahead of the Bulldogs at $5, Souths at $8 and Cronulla at $11.

The Storm are $6 favourites to go back-to-back and win the 2013 NRL grand final.

2013 NRL Halfway Leader (after 13 rounds)
Sportingbet Australia Market
Melbourne $5.00
Canterbury $6.50
Cronulla $8.00
South Sydney $8.00
Sydney $10.00
Newcastle $12.00
North Queensland $13.00
Manly $14.00
Brisbane $15.00
Canberra $21.00
Wests $21.00
New Zealand $26.00
Parramatta $34.00
Gold Coast $41.00
Penrith $41.00
St George/Ill $41.00