Prior to the representative round break, it was eight grueling weeks of play, and The Central Western Daily actually wasn't shocking when it came to predicting how the campaign would pan out.

Let's go through all six teams, and talk about where we rated them in the pre-season, versus where they're sitting in the lead-up to round nine.

PREDICTED: Third

CURRENT: Fourth

GRADE: B

It's probably fair to say Bathurst has been underwhelming so far.

After knocking over Emus in round one, the sky looked to be the limit for Mick Leseberg's side, but since then, it's a so-so 3-4.

The Bulldogs are fresh off one of the more heart-breaking losses any side has suffered this winter as they fell 38-37 to Cowra at Ann Ashwood Park.

The home side had the chance to take the lead with just minutes to go, but sprayed a fairly routine penalty goal wide before losing by a point.

The encouraging thing for this group is that it's just one of two units to knock off Emus, and they don't lack confidence when it comes to doing it again.

If the Dogs can qualify for the finals - which they're on track to do - they can be dangerous.

But as of right now, there's plenty of work to do.

PREDICTED: Sixth

CURRENT: Sixth

GRADE: A

It's unfair to label this side an out-and-out wooden spooner, because it's been so close to breaking through every weekend.

The 1-7 record isn't pretty, but Lions' for and against is better than Dubbo's, a squad that's accrued triple the wins.

However, the results are the results, and we did pick this team to finish last.

Luckily for Viv Paasi's team, it's still a chance to quality for the finals, but will need to be winning now.

With a derby date at Endeavour around the corner, followed by a road trip to Bathurst, it doesn't look good for the reigning grand finalists... they might be done for.

PREDICTED: Second

CURRENT: Third

GRADE: B

We dubbed this team to be contender in 2021, and that looks to be the case through eight rounds.

The aforementioned 38-37 victory at Bulldogs wasn't only big for the standings, but it showed the Eagles can beat solid sides on the road, something that's been hard for anyone to do this year.

Centre Vilikesa Koilagi has been sensational for the red and whites, as has five-eighth Bill Cummins.

It's hard to know whether Cowra can truly trouble Emus, or even win at Forbes for that matter, but we'll find out a lot more in the coming weeks.

For now, look for the Eagles to add another win to their resume when they host Dubbo on Saturday.

PREDICTED: Fifth

CURRENT: Second

GRADE: D

Given how the season has played out so far, this prediction looks fairly insulting.

Why? Because Forbes has been fire in 2021.

A 5-3 record and a home win over Emus has Mahe Fangupo's men sitting in outright second at the half way mark.

The query surrounding this team is the same as many others... can it win on the road?

If it maintains second place, we might find out in the first week of the finals in a contest that's shaping to be at Emus.

PREDICTED: First

CURRENT: First

GRADE: A

Same old, same old.

Emus have been steady this season.

A league-best 6-2 record accompanies an imposing +92 for and against, 39 points better than Cowra's.

The men in green entered 2021 as the benchmark, and nothing's changed after two months.

If they field a full-strength squad at Endeavour Oval? Who's beating them.

The closest anyone has come to knocking them over on home soil was when Forbes lost 38-26, a game that was all-but over at half-time.

PREDICTED: Fourth

CURRENT: Fifth

GRADE: B-

Injuries always trouble sides throughout any season, but they seem to have damaged Kangaroos more than other team.

Despite all the adversity, the Roos are still thereabouts.

Over the next three weeks, the schedule reads: at Cowra, vs. Forbes, and at Orange City.

You'd think they will need to win two of those contests to stay in touch with the top four.

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