SYDNEY Roosters have emerged as the best-backed team to win the 2017 NRL premiership.

After a disastrous season in which they finished second last following three straight minor premierships, the bookies are predicting big things for Trent Robinson’s star-studded squad.

While North Queensland remain the TAB’s outright $7.50 favourites, the Roosters are equal eighth in betting at $15.

Brisbane and Melbourne are joint second favourites at $8 followed by Canberra and Penrith at $9, Cronulla at $10 and the Warriors at $11.

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The Roosters are on the next line of betting, equal with Manly.

Significantly, bets on the Roosters account for just under 15 per cent of all transactions in what has been rated the most open premiership betting market in TAB history.

Some of the bets on the Roosters include $2000 at $17, $500 at $15 and $484 at $15.

“The Roosters had plenty of excuses last year with injuries and losing Mitchell Pearce for the start of the season,” TAB’s Matt Jenkins said.

“They have plenty to turnaround after finishing 15th on the ladder but punters think they can.

“They finished 13th in 2012 before winning the premiership the following year.

“Admittedly that was on the back of some key signings but it is possible.”

While the Roosters have signed Luke Keary to partner Pearce in the halves, they are still looking to offload young playmaker Jackson Hastings and there is speculation Dale Copley is also being shopped around.

Copley only arrived at Bondi 12 months ago from Brisbane after he was let go at the Broncos to make way for James Roberts’ arrival.

Hastings had a massive fallout with some of the Roosters’ senior players and carried a lot of blame for the team’s terrible early-season form while Pearce was suspended.

He is yet to find a club for next season but it is understood the former Junior Kangaroo hasn’t given up hope of staying in the NRL.