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Such is his work ethic, Cronulla, New South Wales and Australia second rower has been installed as the $6.50 favourite by online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au to be the player who gains the most metres during the 2012 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 2012

$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

The North Queensland Cowboys will be looking to bounce back hard after their abysmal season in 2008 where they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon as a result of their superior defence compared to the Bulldogs. The return of players and personnel from injury and rival clubs has created a feeling of excitement up in Townsville that last year was just a minor glitch, and 2009 will see the Cowboys back in the top half of the ladder where they belong.

Returning Personnel

Matt Bowen has fought back from the knee injury that saw him play just six games last season. The club is being cautious with him at the moment, as they realise the value in having him for the whole season, and in particular the stretch leading into the finals. His return to the team will add extra spark to the backline.

Dally M coach oif the year 2008 Neil Henry is back from his successful 2 year stint at the Raiders. Henry previously worked under Graham Henry at North Queensland early this decade and is a popular figure up north. He is well regarded as being an excellent tactician and has been able to hone his skills at both club and Origin level having worked with Mal Meninga over the past few years to help establish the current dominance of the Cane Toads.

Billy Johnstone is back at the Cowboys to dish out his special brand of pain, which should see the squad re-emerge as one of the fittest in the competition

Off-Season Buys…Good & Bad?

Over the off-season the Cowboys have made some good signings in Willie Tonga and Antonio Kaufausi. While Tonga has been plagued by injuries in his past few seasons at the Bulldogs, all reports indicate his fitness is great and he should be back to his destructive best this year.

North Queensland have also signed Shannon Hegarty who will be attempting to prove wrong the pundits who slapped him with the Rugby League Week award for worst buy 2009.

Greatest Halfback In The World?

Many people believe this title belongs to Jonathan Thurston, and his form over the past few seasons probably justifies the tag. He is an integral part of this squad who have a atrocious record when he doesn’ play. They win 53% of their games when he plays, and just over 30% when he is sidelined.

This is a concern for the Cowboys, who have bought in Grant Rovelli to play alongside  Thurston in the halves and to perhaps slot into Thurston’s position if he is out for any reason.

Overall the Cowboys will be a much better team than last year. Their forwards are consistently good and should create plenty of chances for the likes of Thurston, Bowen and Tonga to carve holes through opposition backlines.

Bookies have them finishing just inside the eight, and it is one of those situations where it could go either way. They have the potential for a top four finish but they could also be hit by injuries and plummet to the bottom of the ladder.

Current Odds To Win The Premiership – $12

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