In last week’s Super Sub I predicted the fate that awaits eight NRL clubs. Here’s my take on the remaining eight teams.

PENRITH: Have been inundated by more youngsters than Sydney has for World Youth Day (which seems to be the longest day of all time). Fullback Lachlan Coote, five-eighth Wade Graham and hooker Masada Iosefa have made their debuts in recent weeks and their enthusiasm has last year’s wooden-spooners purring. Just inside the top eight at the moment and if Petero and Frank Pritchard can maintain their current form, they may well stay there.
Key: The Panthers have kids in key positions. They’re going well at the moment but can they produce that effort consistently for weeks on end?

CRONULLA: The competition’s 42-year-old premiership virgins are in the top four at the moment, and if they stay there it will give them every opportunity to break their duck. In attack they’re about as tedious to watch as Monday night’s 14-hour long Big Brother finale, but are ranked fourth in defence and that’s what titles are built on.
Key: Can the Brothers Grub, Paul Gallen and Greg Bird, steer clear of the judiciary for the rest of the season? If not the Sharkies' chances go up in smoke.

SOUTH SYDNEY: Have recently enjoyed a bigger resurgence than ABBA. After a tragic start, they’d won five straight games until the wheels fell off against Wests Tigers on Sunday.
Key: Sorry Rabbit fans, you’re all but no hope of watching your team play finals for the second straight year. The Bunnies face every team in the top four - the Storm, Sea Eagles, Sharks and Roosters – over the final seven rounds.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA: The NRL’s human Roger Ramjet, Mark Gasnier, is heading to the land of croissants and that big cycling race that’s on at the moment. It’s Gaz’s last chance to win a premiership in the Red V, but it won’t happen. Their seven-game winning streak was more questionable than a player agent’s motives, because half the sides they played were minus their Origin stars.
Key: Will the departure of Gasnier, Jason Ryles and Nathan Brown next year galvanise the Dragons, or tear them apart?

SYDNEY ROOSTERS: The Roosters were (excuse the pun) cock-a-hoop just a fortnight ago, with everyone rating them a massive premiership threat. But terrible back-to-back losses to a Gold Coast Titans outfit that resembled something their feeder club the Ipswich Jets would field, plus the Raiders on Sunday, has them on the nose.
Key: Is big Willie the only one who’s over-rated, or does that apply to the whole Roosters team? They need to get out of their form slump, and fast.

WARRIORS: The Kiwis have won their last three games to keep their finals hopes alive. However the teams they have beaten – the Tigers, Cowboys and Bulldogs – are all out of the top eight. How they fare against quality opposition like the Storm, Broncos and Sharks over the next month will make or break their season.
Key: Have the Warriors finally found some consistency, or is it a false dawn?

WEST TIGERS: Arrested a worry slide down the ladder with a big win over Souths on the weekend, and could find themselves in the top eight if they win the battle of the big cats against the Panthers on Saturday night.
Key: After his great performance against the Rabbits, is Benji Marshall’s form slump behind him?

GOLD COAST: Whatever money the Titans' physio is on, it isn’t enough. The poor bloke is busier than a one-armed bricklayer in Baghdad.
Key: Was their amazing upset win over the Roosters, built on guts and enthusiasm, a one-off, or can they put together a similar effort week after week? Their home loss to Penrith on Saturday suggests they probably can’t.