Carney, who just steered the Sharks to victory over the Raiders, is the $1.80 favourite to get the nod from Blues coach Laurie Daley, with Maloney close behind at $1.95.

In what seems to be a two-horse race, John Sutton is on the third line of betting at $9.00, while the likes of Josh Reynolds ($15), Greg Bird ($34), Jarrod Mullen ($51) and Jamie Soward ($251) are all massive outsiders to get the call.

“Carney’s been there and done it before, but Maloney is in great touch, and as the betting tells us, it’s almost a toss of the coin job as to what way Laurie Daley will go,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

Sportsbet.com.au punters are also backing Queensland to heap more misery on the Blues and their fans, with money coming in 10 to 1 for the Maroons to win an eighth straight series. Queensland are at $1.70 to win the series and $1.83 to win game one with the Blues at $2.00 and $2.15 respectively.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
NSW Blues five-eighth Game 1 2013 State of Origin
$1.80 Todd Carney

$1.95 James Maloney
$9.00 John Sutton
$15 Josh Reynolds
$34 Greg Bird
$51 Jarrod Mullen
$251 Aiden Sezer
$251 Jamie Soward
$1001 Brad Fittler

2013 State of Origin Game 1 winner
$1.83 Queensland
$2.00 New South Wales

2013 State of Origin series winner
$1.70 Queensland
$2.15 New South Wales