Barellan kicked off 2017 preparations with a bang way back in October, signing four players from Tuggeranong all with NEAFL experience, including a key back (James McCabe), key forward (Matt Bernasconi), ruckman (Will Prowse) and midfielder (Mal Fernie).

All four are in their late 20s and boast NEAFL experience. A fifth Tuggeranong teammate, Matt Wells, has also joined the travelling recruits just last week. And former Griffith Swan Glen Snaidero is assistant coach to Darren Jackson.

The recruits will ease the pressure on Matt Irvin and Will Overs but the real test will be in Barellan’s numbers.

The Two Blues’ pre-season preparations haven’t been ideal. After one practice match fell through, they scrambled to organise a hit-out against Griffith Swans reserves but were without their Canberra players.

By the time their third round bye rolls around, Jackson will have some idea of where they stand, after hosting North Wagga then the local derby at Ardlethan.

PREDICTION: NINTH

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Last year's beaten grand finalists aren't easy to get a read on, after a change of coach and a few departures. But some late signings have provided a big lift.

This week’s signing of cousins Charlie and Aiden McAdam from Darwin was just what the doctor ordered for Coleambally.

The unexpected departures of captain Mitch Carroll and swingman Simon Mackie were a blow, on the back of defender Wes Kiley and forward Kodie O’Malley leaving and the retirement of Carl and Tony Pound.

The signing of Griffiths is important, with Josh Hamilton suspended until the middle of the year.

Brandon Mathews (three games) and Todd Clark (two games) also have bans to serve making a tough start to the season – against EWK and then Marrar – even more daunting.

They can’t afford a slow start with five away games in the last seven rounds.

PREDICTION: SIXTH

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After earning respect last year, CSU want results to improve on their eighth-place finish. It looks a tough ladder to climb but they might be on the move.

The player movement ledger is well-and-truly in CSU’s favour in terms of arrivals and departures. With uni only going back in late February, and the bye first up for the Bushpigs, Daniel Athanitis still has a fortnight to assess the strength in his squad.

But early signs looked good when CSU fielded a team in the Kapooka 12s. And the coach, in his second season, is also hoping to get plenty of improvement from last year’s players. They virtually started from scratch and unearthed some exciting players, including key position player Harrison Foott, forward Tom Jeffery and midfielder Rob Herzfeld. 

The consistent Jake Raves from Mangoplah-CUE and Hume League pair Mason Collins and Damien Dore should offer something to a squad which still has plenty of green, young players relatively inexperienced at senior level. 

The Bushpigs intend to create a buzz early, securing former West Coast star Daniel Kerr for a one-off appearance against EWK.

PREDICTION: SEVENTH

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The premiers will go into 2017 with a different look but a familiar feel. A series of departures at a club with exceptional depth last year will give players a chance to press their cases.

The Hawks have been to three straight grand finals under coach Gavin McMahon but there’s a sense of starting over after that drought-breaking premiership last year.

A number of high-profile departures will mean a new-look forward structure to replace Marc Geppert, Bryce McPherson and Billy Mearns. Midfielders Nick Baggio, James Creasy and Stu Brierty leave a hole and Guy McAlister missing from defence will be noticeable.

While that exodus would cruel many clubs, the Hawks still retain the best player in the comp, Nick Hull, and on-field leaders Ben Absolum, Chris Gordon and Joe Scott. That’s just for starters. And after their twos won a third straight flag last year, it’s clear there are players who are more than capable of seizing a permanent first grade spot, including grand final hero James Hodges.

For insurance, the Hawks also have some late season signings including forwards Ben Carey and Ben Perkins and midfielder Tom Pocock.

PREDICTION: THIRD

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There is no shortage of interest in Langtry Oval. Handy signings and a high-profile coach bring expectation to a side which wasn't far away last year.

You get the feeling the Bombers are going to be one of the more keenly-watched teams this year, and not only by the Marrar faithful. Rival clubs are very wary following the appointment of Shane Lenon and the subsequent arrival of some smart footballers.

Veteran Geoff Spriggs will marshall a respected defence; accomplished coach Jeremy Rowe will travel from Canberra (although his appearances may be limited); Jesse Margosis and Shannon Williams also return to the Farrer League from Lockhart; and the exciting Brad Moye joins his brother Jackson.

The Lenon touch is tipped to get improvement out of their list, almost all of which they retain. Jack Reynolds heads a talented group of emerging stars, Brad Turner is one of the most exciting forwards in the comp, ruckman Nick Molkentin is genuine and defender Clint Taylor is ageless.

While backman Bryce Graetz has gone, and Jesse Cunningham is unlikely to play due to injury, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

PREDICTION: RUNNERS-UP

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Last season was somewhat deflating at McPherson Oval after they failed to deliver on promise. Despite a low-key build-up, improvement is expected.

For North Wagga, 2017 is almost more about who they signed for last season rather than this year.

They’re still expecting to see the best out of big backman Daniel Jordan, who missed much of the first half last year, then was swung forward for most of the second. They also struggled to get the best out of key forward Alex Grozinger but should form better combinations with him this season. The signing of experienced forward Tim Barry from Orange will also help, allowing Grozinger to play deep.

With key roles filled at the ends of the ground, the Saints’ test will be how well they can stack up in the middle against the top sides.

The departure of former skipper Nathan Dowdle and speedy wingman Ben Alexander hurts but the Saints are happy with what they’ve seen of Cayden Winter, down from Tumbarumba.

Kirk Hamblin has worked on preparing them for a good start with a solid pre-season fitness campaign and games against Tigers and Turvey Park.

PREDICTION: FOURTH

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The Jets screamed into contention at the right time last year. But a long list of departures suggests they'll face a tough time backing that up.

New coach Mitch Robinson takes charge of a club that created plenty of excitement in last year’s finals, coming within a point of a grand final appearance. 

But with the coaching appointment not confirmed until late November, the Jets started from well back in this year’s preparations.

In the meantime, their four key recruits for last year confirmed they wouldn’t be back. Tim Gray, Justin Mesman, Mark Kimball and Josh Plozza didn't dominate but they added quality and experience in key positions. 

That helped allow the Jets’ home-grown guns like Mitch Haddrill to star, and young footballers to develop.

Veteran backman Stu Hutchins is also gone, along with emerging youngsters Joe Grinter, Max Tidd and Jacob Bell. Not to mention Mitch Maguire.

Robinson and the Jets are looking to create a strong local environment. Aidan Cattle returns with a season of O&M reserves experience. 

Ex-Coolamon players Zac Robinson, Hayden Leary and Luke McLoughlin also come in to a team which still boasts some class acts but faces a tough ask against improving rivals.

PREDICTION: EIGHTH

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After fading to finish seventh in 2016, Temora are looking to return as serious contenders, with some familiar old faces back to help a new coach.

JJake Wooden will lead a revitalised Temora to Langtry Oval on Saturday.

The new coach’s arrival along with a handful of experienced footballers will go a long way towards addressing the depth issues that hurt last year.

Matt Harpley is raring to go after missing the end of 2015 and all of 2016 due to a knee reconstruction and is a massive return for a side that lacked goalkicking power.

Matt Wallis, is also back in town but won’t be seen until the back end of the year due to a knee injury. But the thought of the twin towers feeding off a talented midfield is enticing.

Rob Drummond is back and they’ve retained key Canberra players, who will be at training once a fortnight. That, and being in a more experienced and confident outfit, should bring out the best in Sam Jensen and Kieran Shea.

New captain Charlie Vallance won’t have to carry a load. Chase Grintell impressed across half-back in a trial against Turvey and Brayden Ambler is also experienced talent.

PREDICTION: FIFTH

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A new, but familiar, coach. Intriguing signings to offset a series of losses. And a remarkable record for consistency. It might add up to the magic formula for the Pies' faithful.

The Rock’s departures look ominous from co-coaches Andrew Clarke and Andy Carey to Mitch Stephenson, Mitch Ward, Josh Ashcroft and the reliable White boys, Harri and Charlie.

But new coach Tom Yates managed to offset the damage with some impressive signings that look to give the Pies an X-factor.

Former Narrandera coach Tim Sullivan arrived with gun ruckman Lachie Hunter, adding options in a side with Josh Meiselbach.

Up forward, former league leading goalkicker Luke Webb is back and Fergus Inglis showed plenty of potential at Tigers two years ago before a season in Victoria. Yates has been very impressed with Inglis’ Winchelsea teammate, Sam Durnan.

And then there’s former Murray Magpies Matt and Derek Murray, the latter with AFL experience and class.

In a side still with plenty of proven performers, it could all just come together.

PREDICTION: PREMIERS