How the teams are shaping up

Wagga Tigers- Last year: Premiers- Coach: Troy Maiden (1st year)- Gains: Chris Jackson (Wodonga Bulldogs), Tim Oleranshaw (Victorian amateurs), Shannon Terlich (Henty)- Losses: Matt Walder (Red Cliffs), Ryan Plant (West Adelaide), Nathan McDonald (TRYC), Darren Cook (retired), Jason Spivey (Red Cliffs), James Millikan (Ballarat), Logan Knight (Canberra), Nathan Kammon (West Australia), Corey Pavitt (Marrar), Daniel Quee (North Wagga), Dave Pullen (Rivcoll), Wayne Myers (defence force)- Verdict: After returning to the RFL with a bang last season, Tigers have a big challenge ahead this season. Not only did they lose over 12 players, but all those departed were a vital part of Tigers’ squad. Rookie coach Troy Maiden faces a difficult task in trying to defend the premiership but the addition of Chris Jackson is a big plus and they still possess the likes of Tom Power, the Priests and Matt Noonan. The continued improvement of Mitch Colvin, Daniel Davey and Jacob Powell will have a big say in where Tigers finish but they should still be in the thick of the action come September.- Player to watch: Mitch Colvin – The athletic big man has the ability to win a game in either defence or attack- Coach’s comment: “Our aim is to be competitive and we’re aiming to make the five. If that happens, we’ll see where we head from there.”- Predicted finish: FourthNarrandera- Last year: Second- Coach: Jamie Grintell (3rd year)- Gains: Jonathon Doyle (Wakool), Lukas Slater (Sebastapol), Peter Green (Warrandyte), Anthony Craig (Turvey Park)- Losses: Danny Campbell (Melbourne), Ashley Thomson (Yarrawonga)- Verdict: Narrandera has been able to offset the loss of two key players by recruiting strongly. The Eagles have the best list, a very good coach and the right mix of youth and experience to win the premiership. The biggest question is whether the Eagles can overcome the loss of last year’s grand final to Wagga Tigers. Everything had fallen Narrandera’s way in the lead-up yet they still managed to stumble at the final hurdle. With that pain still burning inside, look for Narrandera to go all the way.- Player to watch: Jamie Grintell – Felt last year’s grand final loss as much as anyone and look for the coach to lead this year’s charge with a big season- Coach’s comment: “Our aim is the same as last year, to win it.”- Predicted finish: PremiersMangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes- Last year: Third- Coach: Nick Smith (1st year)- Gains: Nick Smith (Westbourne), Jared Kahlefeldt (Wodonga Raiders), Matt Molkentin (Marrar), Tim Willis (Rivcoll)- Losses: Kurt Thompson (West Adelaide), Andrew Wild (North Albury), Mitch Heydon (Queensland)- Verdict: Despite MCUE’s golden run through to a preliminary final in last year’s final series, the Goannas lost more games then they won and copped three heavy losses from Wagga Tigers. The Goannas are full of enthusiasm however and have complemented their outstanding base of young talent with some clever recruiting. The Goannas are in for a big year.- Player to watch: Brad Turner – Established himself as a very good defender but will play on the wing this year and possesses great speed and a big leap- Coach’s comment: “Our goal is to win more than we lose and to become more consistent.”- Predicted finish: SecondGanmain-Grong Grong-Matong- Last year: Fourth- Coach: Christen McPherson (1st year)- Gains: John Campbell (Culcairn), Rhys Clark (Kerang), Jack Kaye (Wagga Tigers)- Losses: Shane Lenon, Marc Geppert, Chad Hamblin (CAK), Eddie Sullivan (Leeton-Whitton), Christen Macri (retired), Nathan McPherson (Lockhart), Jarrod Cooper, Wes Kiley, Brad Kiley- Verdict: Ganmain came crashing back to earth last year following three straight premierships. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a big clearout of players and the Lions have failed to sign any big recruits. This season will test Ganmain’s depth and youth and they look to have a battle on their hands in order to play finals.- Player to watch: Luke Habel – Took a huge step forward last season and look for him to become one of the Lions’ leaders- Coach’s comment: “At this stage we’re just looking to have a good start and then we’ll take it from there.”- Predicted finish: SeventhCoolamon- Last year: Fifth- Coach: Sam Keenan (2nd year)- Gains: Wayde Archibald, Bryce Koop (Ungarie), John Nolan (Parkes), Grant Warner (West Wyalong), Mark Neyland (Wagga Tigers)- Losses: Ryan Lilly (WA), Matt Saunders (Adelaide), Simon Drum (Port Melburne), Adam McKenzie (CAK), Josh Moncrieff (Jets), Paul McKelvie (Rivcoll)- Verdict: Coolamon has stayed quiet over the off-season but the Hoppers remain confident of an improved showing this season. The acquisition of Archibald, Nolan and Warner are important and joining the likes of Luke Maloney, Brendan McKelvie and Keenan, the Hoppers will now possess an even, well-rounded list. In an even competition, a premiership is not totally out of the question for the Hoppers.- Player to watch: John Nolan – Stands at six foot seven and will take a power of beating in the ruck- Coach’s comment: “All we want to do is improve on last year’s performance and put on a better showing in finals.”- Predicted finish: FifthGriffith- Last year: Sixth- Coach: Gerry Toscan (1st year)- Gains: Jeremy Way (Barellan), Brett Davis (rugby league), Brett Owen (Avendale), Brendan Hicken, Michael Johns, Jason Cappello- Losses: Matt McDonald (North Albury), Luke McLean (South Launceston), James Toscan (Avendale), Joel Brown (Adelaide) - Verdict: Griffith is not hiding the fact that this season will be a rebuilding year. The Swans have lost a couple of key players from the engine room and will struggle to match it with the stronger clubs. Griffith will be competitive at home and will use this season as one to develop the young talent coming through the club.- Player to watch: Brett Davis – Excitement machine from rugby league changing codes and will get better with experience- Coach’s comment: “Our aim is to improve each week and wins should come with that and maybe finals could be on the end of that.”- Predicted finish: NinthEastern Hawks- Last year: Seventh- Coach: Pat Gribble (returning)- Gains: Josh Newson, Chris Parr (Marrar), Shaun Ryan (Gippsland), Bryan Ball, Nathan Kelly (TRYC), Phil Williams (Narrandera), Kent Tapsell (Tasmania), Joe Oglesby (Temora), Sam Jackson-Ryan, Nick Gannon- Losses: Barry O’Brien (Queensland), Mitch Reberger (West Adelaide), Ash Condon (Campbelltown), Mark and Luke Adams, Aiden Ridley (TRYC), Andrew White (soccer), Joel Grieve- Verdict: Pat Gribble has returned and is serious about stamping out the Hawks’ bad on-field behaviour. Gribble has not hidden the fact that the Hawks will have a slow start to the season but once up-and-going, they will be capable of beating any team on their day. Consistency will be the key however and the Hawks may find it hard to pick up ground following a slow start.- Player to watch: Danny Bromham – The heart of the Hawks midfield and has put in a big pre-season after missing a lot of last year- Coach’s comment: “As a group we want to regain the respect of the opposition through hard work and disciplined footy. As far as a finish goes, I don’t think top three is out of the question.” - Predicted finish: EighthTurvey Park- Last year: Eighth - Coach: Anthony Dowdle (3rd year)- Gains: Matt Hooker (Balranald), David Thorpe (South Australia), Chris Cerato (Palm Beach), Seamus Armstrong (South Australia), Will Martin (Sydney Uni), Daniel Tooze- Losses: Matt Beckmans (Sydney Swans), Luke Webb (TRYC), Josh Stinson (CAK), Anthony Craig (Narrandera)- Verdict: Turvey Park looks set to be the big improvers this season after some much-needed yet handy recruiting. Brothers Matt Hooker and David Thorpe are expected to take the competition by storm while Chris Cerato will be invaluable now back at his home club. With the likes of the Campbell brothers and Andrew Donaldson also roaming through the midfield, the Bulldogs have the potential to destroy opposition teams. The Bulldogs should return to finals football and could cause some damage once there.- Player to watch: Matt Hooker – A class act who can win a game off his own boot- Coach’s comment: “We’re aiming to make finals, we haven’t done that for five or six years. To do that, like all clubs, we’ll need to have a good run with injuries.”- Predicted finish: ThirdLeeton-Whitton- Last year: Ninth- Coach: Matt Smith (returning)- Gains: Matt Smith, Jade Hodge, Lyndsay Fysh, Josh Hall (Tasmania), Eddie Sullivan (GGGM), Travis Doyle, Matt Sharman (retirement), Brett Guest (Queensland)- Losses: Damian Lang (retirement), Jamie Broadbent (Tullibigeal)- Verdict: Leeton-Whitton experienced a horror season last year, going from grand finalists to wooden spooners. The club has acted swiftly and brought back Matt Smith from Tasmania who has experienced plenty of success since he was last with the Crows six years ago. Smith has brought plenty of talent with him and along with the youth coming through, the Crows should take a big leap back up the ladder in 2008.- Player to watch: Aaron Gordon – Exciting young athletic type who looks ready to take the next step- Coach’s comment: “We’re hoping to win the respect back and the only way we’re going to do that us by being competitive and winning games.”- Predicted finish: SixthNorth Wagga- Last year: In recess- Coach: Glenn Noye (1st year)- Gains: Entire squad- Losses: Nil- Verdict: North Wagga should be commended for fighting back from a year in recess and just taking to the field on Sunday will be a victory for the Saints. This season will be all about rebuilding the club and the Saints have been able to recruit a good core of senior players but have not hid the fact they will lack depth. Hopefully the Saints can be competitive for the entire season in what is a breakthrough year for the club.- Player to watch: Nigel Peacock – Comes to the Saints with big wraps and expect him to accumulate plenty of possessions through the midfield- Coach’s comment: “Our aim for the year is to be ultra competitive and hopefully win as many games as we can. We’re also looking to develop some of the kids, which will put the club in good stead for the next three years.”- Predicted finish: 10th