After a weekend of shock results, I have come to the realisation that if you bet on the NRL at the moment, you’re either very silly or very brave.

One punter found that out the hard way when he watched a three-figure sum go down the drain.

The bloke had a truckload of cash on a three-legger that included the Roosters beating the friendless Titans, the Broncos accounting for the Bulldogs and Melbourne ruining Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson’s Campbelltown swansong.

The history books will tell you that only one of those got up. At least his bet was toast by Friday night.

Anyone who says they correctly tipped the card is lying. Either that or they’re one of those chicks who picks teams according to their jerseys, or the ‘stud factor’ of each team.

So, with just eight rounds remaining until the finals, predicting what will happen is a bigger lottery than a video ref decision. But I’ll have a crack anyway.

BRISBANE: Like Vanilla Ice, Darren Lockyer made an ill-informed comeback but, once he gets the rust out of his system, the Broncs should make the finals for the 1000th straight year.

Key: Can they avoid their usual Origin hangover?

BULLDOGS: There should be an inquest into just how they managed to beat the Broncos at home on Sunday. Can’t make the finals but have the potential to provide more nuisnce value than Mario Fenech on The Footy Show.

Key: Sonny Bill. D'uh.

CANBERRA: As a Raiders fan, I feel I need to say something. Can the media please give the Green Machine some credit when they deserve it? Dean Ritchie’s story after they beat the Dragons began: “They are the team no one rates and the team most predict will come last every year. They are also the side that has the NRL’s most modest playing roster.” They played better than the Dragons. End of story.

Key: Play just one top four team – the Roosters this week.

COWBOYS: Basket case #1. Who would have thought that telling your coach his services were no longer required at the end of the season would have a negative impact on the team’s performance? Well, pretty much everyone did except the Townsville club.

Key: No chance of finals mean they can just go out and enjoy their footy. Johnathan Thurston with a license is a scary thought.

MANLY: The Sunshine Coast’s adopted team has a massive chance of going one better than its grand final appearance last year.

Key: Matt Orford not getting injured. He’s been sensational.

MELBOURNE: Will beat Manly again in this year’s grand final, but it won’t be as easy as last October.

Key: Avoiding complacency. A team with their roster should win every year.

NEWCASTLE: Like Channel Ten with Big Brother (thank God), the Knights got rid of their dead weight a couple of years back and are reaping the benefits.

Key: Can they cover for the loss of Danny Buderus?

PARRAMATTA: Basket case #2. Considering their impressive playing roster, the Eels have been more disappointing than that crap show Mark Loves Sharon.

Key: Their best players need to stop assuming someone else will do the work.
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The remaining eight clubs will be assessed next week.