The verdict: A blistering start to the season with Kangaroos winning its opening four games and looking every bit the premiership favourite. The past few weeks have been indifferent with a loss to Cootamundra, a big win over Tumut, a draw with Gundagai and a lucky escape against Southcity. Kangaroos are not as unbeatable as many people thought at the start of the season but they definitely have the manpower to make a mark in the competition. Need to step it up again but they will and should be around the mark.

Predicted finish: 2nd

LAVINGTON

Coach: Josh Cale

Pre-season prediction: 3rd

Current position: 3rd (6-2)

Main man: Joe Williams. The former NRL halfback has been sensational in Group Nine this season and has carved opposition teams to shreds with his brilliant passing and kicking game. The best attacking player in the competition, Williams oozes class and has been the major factor in Lavington's climb up the ladder.

The verdict: Lavington recovered from a horror opening round loss to Brothers and the Panthers are definitely on the prowl for finals action. Lavington must learn to win away from home – especially in Wagga – if it is to live up to the hype. Lavington has a quality forward pack but the real ace is obviously Joe Williams and his presence alone should ensure the Border club plays deep into the finals series.

Predicted finish: 4th

GUNDAGAI

Coach: Jason Ferris

Pre-season prediction: Premier

Current position: 4th (5-2-1)

Main man: Jason Ferris. The ex-NRL halfback stamped himself as one of the best players in the competition earlier in the season. Ferris has a creative passing and kicking game and is also a quick and powerful ball-runner when he takes the line on. Unfortunately, Ferris is sidelined due to injury and Gundagai need him back on the park ASAP to push for the premiership.

The verdict: Gundagai has looked a million dollars at times this season but the Tigers still need to learn to win the close games. Gundagai added another diamond to its collection recently by signing former Queensland player Daniel Wagon to play alongside Jason Ferris. Gundagai has a team chock-full of talent and potential and on its day can – and will – beat any team in the competition. Look for an early return for Ferris and a big second half of the season from Gundagai.

Predicted finish: Premier

TUMUT

Coach: Clay Campbell

Pre-season prediction: 4th

Current position: 5th (5-3)

Main man: Anthony Coyle. The big prop has been injured for a large chunk of the season and Tumut has definitely missed his powerful charges and bruising defence. Coyle is one of the best forwards in the competition and Tumut need him back on deck in a hurry or its chances of three successive premierships will be gone.

The verdict: After two years at the top of the ladder, Tumut has started to slide back down the rungs ever so slightly. Tumut was belted 62-10 by Kangaroos a few weeks ago in a very un-Tumut-like performance. The team looks to be lacking a playmaker and its defence has also been well below its best. Will make finals but the premiership could be out of reach.

Predicted finish: 5th

SOUTHCITY

Coach: Greg Lynch

Pre-season prediction: 5th

Current position: 6th (4-4)

Main man: Kyle McCarthy. Highly underrated but not by those at Southcity, McCarthy is a rising star of the competition. The fullback regularly breaks the line when he runs the ball and he is also extremely reliable in defence and under the high-ball. McCarthy also chimes into the backline with great impact. Genuine match-winner.

The verdict: Southcity has arrived as a genuine player in the competition this season and the Bulls loom as the dark horse in the title race. Southcity has plenty of self-belief, and some quality players to match, and the Bulls should play finals for the first time in the club's history.

Predicted finish: 6th

COOTAMUNDRA

Coach: Mark Elia

Pre-season prediction: 8th

Current position: 7th (4-4)

Main man: Phil Latu. Cootamundra snared a star recruit when it found former Cronulla player Latu looking for a fresh start. Latu is a try-scoring genius and his pure strength helps him break defensive lines with ease. Latu is arguably the best centre in the competition and will need to score plenty more tries if Cootamundra is to play finals.

The verdict: Tipped to struggle after losing a plethora of senior players in the off-season, Cootamundra has shocked many pundits and was the first team to beat Kangaroos. lack direction from hooker and halfback at times but Cootamundra is a big and tough team and could sneak into the finals on sheer power alone.

Predicted finish: 7th

JUNEE

Coach: Adam Perry

Pre-season prediction: 7th

Current position: 8th (3-4-1)

Main man: Damien Willis. Willis is probably the most powerful ball-runner in the competition and has an uncanny knack of crossing the stripe. Can fill in a number of positions and has turned out to be a quality five-eighth this season. Willis is a player every opposition team would love to have and Junee need him firing on all cylinders.

The verdict: Injuries have cruelled Junee's premiership chances this season and the club has been without up to 15 senior players, including Adam Perry and Sam Quinn. Junee has done well to win four games and the club is still a sneaky chance of making the finals.

Predicted finish: 8th

TUMBARUMBA

Coach: Leon Boyd

Pre-season prediction: 11th

Current position: 9th (2-6)

Main man: Leon Boyd. Boyd has done a solid job as coach so far this season and he has regularly been among Tumbarumba's better players. Boyd puts his body on the line every week and is an inspiration to his team-mates.

The verdict: Tumbarumba has done well to record two wins at the halfway mark of the season after being tipped to struggle. Tumbarumba definitely lacks depth and quality and will continue to battle for wins.

Predicted finish: 9th

YOUNG

Coach: Steve Woolford

Pre-season prediction: 10th

Current position: Last

Main man: Blake Hewitt. Hewitt has been a shining light for Young this season and the rising star has given the club hope for the future. Hewitt is a quality player and will develop into a star in the future.

The verdict: It was always going to be a long year for Young after the club lost a heap of senior players and struggled to attract a coach during the off-season. There have been some positives for Young, with the club playing a number of its junior players in first grade. Definitely rebuilding and will not win more than one or two games in the run home.

Predicted finish: 10th

TEMORA

Coach: Scott Matthews

Pre-season prediction: 9th

Current position: 10th (0-8)

Main man: Jacob Kite. The much-maligned young playmaker has been thrust into the hot-seat this season with a number of senior players departing the club and a heap on the sidelines injured. Kite has stepped up to the plate this season and will only improve in the future because of this experience.

The verdict: How the mighty have fallen. A perennial powerhouse, Temora has fallen off the perch in a big way and the Dragons look certain to claim the dreaded wooden-spoon.

Predicted finish: Last