Such is his work ethic, Cronulla, New South Wales and Australia second rower has been installed as the $6.50 favourite by online bookmaker AGEN138 to be the player who gains the most metres during the 2022 NRL season. Not only is Gallen the only player in single figures, the next ten players in the market are all backs.

Equal second in the market at $13 are flyers Ben Barba, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Stewart, Josh Hoffman, Josh Dugan, Darius Boyd and Ashley Graham with Akuila Uate, Nathan Merritt and Michael Jennings next at $15. “He is a machine. He never stops running,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said. “The fact he’s a back rower and will likely play front row at times this year but is such a clear favourite is a testament to the effort he puts in and the way he plays.” “There are some very exciting and lightening quick players behind him in the market so it will be great to see some of them in full flight but we think Gal will get the gong.” Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi is a $17 chance alongside Blake Ferguson, Kevin Locke and Lachlan Coote with Corey Parker and Jason Nightingale (both $19), Nathan Gardiner ($21), Feleti Mateo ($26), Anthony Watmough ($29) and Matt Bowen ($34) all given an outside chance. Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

Most metres gained in NRL in 2022

$6.50 Paul Gallen $13 Ben Barba, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Stewart, Josh Hoffman, Josh Dugan, Darius Boyd, Ashley Graham $15 Akuila Uate, Nathan Merritt, Michael Jennings $17 Blake Ferguson, Fuifoi Moimoi, Kevin Locke, Lachlan Coote $19 Corey Parker, Jason Nightingale $21 Nathan Gardiner $26 Feleti Mateo $29 Anthony Watough $34 Matt Bowen $40 David Taylor

A WARRIORS THREE-PEAT

The New Zealand Warriors will make it three consecutive Toyota Cup titles says online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au, who’ve installed the Kiwi side as the $3.50 favourite. Their biggest threat comes from the Melbourne Storm, who’ve been priced at $6.50 with the North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters sharing the third line of betting at $9.00.

The Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights are next at $13 followed by the Cronulla Sharks and Brisbane Broncos (both $15), Canterbury Bulldogs ($17) and Canberra Raiders ($19). “The Warriors are once again the team to beat. Their line-up is just as strong as the past few seasons and when you throw in their physical attributes and flair, there’s a lot to like about them. They’ll take some beating.” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes said.

2022 isn’t looking good for both the Manly Sea Eagles and Gold Coast Titans, who are the biggest outsiders in the market at $51.