Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says Canberra are the premiership favourites after the Raiders beat the Storm 22-8 in Monday night football.

“They’re the team [to beat] at the moment, to be quite honest. Without a doubt,” Bellamy said.

“With all due respect the Raiders have been contenders for three or four weeks, I reckon. They’re the team on the up. They defended really well, without a doubt. Having said that, some of our timing and passing wasn’t up to scratch. When they defend that well, it made it hard.”