A sixth-placed finish in this year's NRL could not stop the Canberra Raiders being named wooden spoon favourites for next season.The Raiders, who shocked everyone this year after starting the season tipped to come last, are at $41 with sports betting company Centrebet to win next year's competition.

The side is equal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on the last line of betting.

But to Raiders management, the odds are no surprise.

"That's good," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said."It would be a disappointment if we were not tipped to get the spoon. We are used to it and it will help motivate us.

"The bookies have got it wrong every year and next year will be no different."

This year the Raiders started the season at odds of $81 to win the competition, and while punters didn't collect on any Raiders premiership bets, the flashy Green Machine proved itself in the NRL.

For Raiders chairman John McIntyre odds mean nothing."I've been a betting man all my life," McIntyre said.

"I'm not allowed to bet on the NRL. It's unfortunate that I'm an official of the NRL what a tragedy, that's great value."

The question we need to know is what price are they not to win the wooden spoon?"

While the Raiders are at 41-1, this year's wooden spooners the Canterbury Bulldogs are at $19, while 15th placed North Queenslandare on the third line of betting at $9. Joint favourites Manly, Melbourne and Cronulla are at $6.50.

But McIntyre said if he were allowed he'd back his Green Machine.

"Over a long period, price assessors are never near the mark."

I'd be prepared to back Dave Furner's side in front of the other sides if I was allowed to."

Raiders captain Alan Tongue said that while he was surprised his side was tipped to finish last again, the players took no notice of of betting odds.

"It seems like every year since I've been here we get tipped to finish down the bottom, so we won't buy into it too much," he said.

"It's the usual spiel we get each year, but it's not something we use to motivate ourselves."