Manly has been heavily backed from $1.42 into $1.34 at Sportingbet Australia to beat North Queensland in Townsville tonight. The odds of a Cowboys victory have drifted from $2.95 out to $3.40 at Sportingbet.

“With no Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Brent Tate because of origin, we’re struggling to write a bet for the Cowboys,” Sportingbet Australia spokesman Andrew Brown said.

“All the money is for Manly and we’ve taken three significant five-figure bets for the Sea Eagles at odds between $1.42 and $1.36,” Brown said.

Manly is $2.95 at Sportingbet to win by 1-12 points or $2.30 to win by 13 or more points. North Queensland is $4.50 1-12, or $9 to win by 13 or more.

The line has moved from 6.5 points to 8.5 points at Sportingbet.

NRL Round 18
Sportingbet Australia market
North Queensland $3.40
Manly $1.34
Draw $29.00

Cowboys 1-12 $4.50
Cowboys 13+ $9.00

Manly 1-12 $2.95
Manly 13+ $2.30

Over/under 38