Title expectations are set to rise in Redfern, after South Sydney moved into equal second in NRL premiership betting with the appointment of Wayne Bennett as coach.
The Rabbitohs were sitting alongside Brisbane, when TAB released the 2019 premiership market the day after the Sydney Roosters triumphed in this year's Grand Final.
But after the Bennett-Anthony Seibold swap was finally confirmed on Sunday, the foundation club has edged in front of the Broncos, alongside Melbourne, with the Roosters still favourites.
- Wayne Bennett's contract terminated by Brisbane Broncos
- Shaun Johnson says playing the Warriors will be 'weird'
- Shaun Johnson signs for the Cronulla Sharks
South Sydney star Sam Burgess admitted the bar had been lifted since last season's preliminary final finish and Bennett's experience could prove telling.
"We'll be setting the bar pretty high," Burgess told reporters on Monday. "I thought we were very close last year, but close isn't good enough.
"[A title] is possible. There haven't been many changes.
"We lose Angus [Crichton] and Jason Clarke, which gives an opportunity for a couple of players.
"We'll wait and see. Wayne will bring his own spin and bring some experience.
"It's a long way away from that time of year. We'll just keep working hard."
Historically, coaching changes have had little impact on premiership betting.
Despite arguably the craziest off-season in NRL history, with Manly, Penrith and the Wests Tigers also appointing new coaches, the needle barely moved on their title chances.
Instead, the stars have provided punters with plenty to think about. Cronulla's stocks blew out after Valentine Holmes' stunning departure for the NFL, but rose just as quickly, when they signed mercurial playmaker Shaun Johnson.
The Warriors are now friendless, while Newcastle have also firmed, after the major acquisition of Kangaroos star David Klemmer to go with Tim Glasby and Jesse Ramien.
Klemmer's exit from Canterbury was a major blow for the Bulldogs.
"The big one is Johnson," TAB spokesperson Gerard Daffy told AAP. "He goes there, that's going to bolster their playing ranks.
"And on the flipside, you've got the Warriors, who always struggle to get support in premiership markets anyway.
"The one constant with this whole thing is the Roosters.
"It's very hard to go back to back, as we know. They've lost [Dylan] Napa, but they've got adequate replacement. They trotted into the final and it's all looking good for them."
NRL CLUB BETTING AFTER SUMMER CHANGES (AU$)
Sydney Roosters - $4.50 to $4.50
Melbourne - $8 to $8
South Sydney - $9 to $8
Brisbane - $9 to $10
Penrith - $10 to $11
Cronulla - $15 to $13
Warriors - $17 to $26
Newcastle - $19 to $17
Wests Tigers - $21 to $23
Canterbury - $23 to $41
Manly - $34 to $34
AAP
