But nine won't go into five. Sports reporter Peter Doherty talks to the coaches and casts an eye over the contenders. 

Coach: Sean Browning (first season)

Last season: Eighth

Gains: Ben Maiden, Shaun Allan, Nathan Barnes, James Ryan

Losses: Will Prowse, James McCabe, Mal Fernie

What we say: Barellan have had a late boost with Yea backman James Ryan bypassing Griffith and joining the Two Blues. Along with three experienced midfielders coming in to a team boasting the brilliant Sean Ellis, Barellan will start with a fresh and positive outlook under new coach Browning. However, it's a leap to get to week in, week out competitiveness in an extremely even comp.

What the coach says: "I'm just hoping to improve on last year, firstly. And we've been trying to work on a new game plan, new structure and trying some blokes in new positions, so that's what I'm really hoping to put together."

PREDICTION: Ninth

Coach: Pat Noonan (second season)

Last season: Fifth

Gains: Lachy Moore, Ben Keith, Sam Barrow, William Headlam, Walt Morton, Andrew Corrigan

Losses: Vas Seker, Rob Herzfeld, Shane Carroll, Zac McDonald, Diarmid Cleary

What we say: The Bushpigs reached finals but were disappointed they didn't do more in their last month. Their departures leave some big holes to fill but Sam Barrow has talent, Lachy Moore comes into a midfield boasting Lou Miller and Brayden Ambler and there's plenty of scope for upside in a team which threatened to do something special at times last year.

What the coach says: "The last few weeks at training have been positive since uni went back and everyone's gelling quicker than last year. One of our goals is winning this first game, starting with a bang and going from there... we haven't set any other goals at this point.".

PREDICTION: Third

Coaches: Mitch Carroll & Luke Hillier (first season)

Last season: Ninth

Gains: Curtis Steele, Charlie McAdam, Raven Marika, Jack Brown, Adrian McAdam, Shaun Light, Dylan Hore, Luke Hillier, Dwayne Weetra, Luke Schulz

Losses: James Fallon, Dillan McGillivray, Tom Handsaker

What we say: After a horror 2018, the Blues made it clear they weren't keen to wallow at the bottom. Luke Hillier is a playing co-coach and Curtis Steele the marquee signing to build a team around. Charlie McAdam and Raven Marika are NT talents to watch and a fit Dean Pound could be huge. But they're coming from a fair way back and rivals are also on the up. 

What the co-coach says: "We're confident that we've got a half-handy side on paper but we've got to get everyone firing. But there's plenty of excitement about the squad we've put together and a few of the names we've got there and we're keen to get into it." (Mitch Carroll)

PREDICTION: Seventh

Coach: Matt Hard (second season)

Last season: Fourth

Gains: Chris Ladhams, Joe Scott, Sam Hodges, Bryce McPherson, Ethan Andrews, Daniel Hitchens, Myles Carroll, Steve Smith

Losses: Luke Cuthbert, Isaac Walton

What we say: The Hawks have a dominant ruckman in Nick Hull, a gun game-manager in Chris Gordon and the leadership of Ben Absolum. Chris Ladhams will be a headache for opposition backlines and, although the signing of Jordan Bell from SA fell through, there's a host of experience coming in to the most consistent team of the last five years. There's a lot to like. 

What the coach says: "I think (wearing the favourites tag) would be a bit far-fetched, to be honest. I suppose someone's got to get it but I think we've got a fair bit of improvement to do before we'd be ready for that. We're under no illusions as to where we're at. We've got a lot of work to do."

PREDICTION: Premiers

Coach: Shane Lenon (third season)

Last season: Premiers

Gains: Nick Cooper, Damian O'Donoghue, Tyler Moye

Losses: Jason Reid, Jesse Margosis, Alex Smith, Jeremy Rowe, Clint Taylor, Brad Turner, Brad Langtry, Jake Hindmarsh, Fred Sleeth, Curtis Allen, Charlie Youngman

What we say: There's generational change at Marrar. Of course, there's a reason they won three grades last year and they have a coach renowned for getting the best out of young players. However, translating that to consistent weekly performances against seasoned teams is a big ask ... it's hard to replace enormous experience and talent. 

What the coach says: "We're definitely going to come back to the pack and I think we'll start the season slowly with a couple of blokes suspended, a few injured and a few young blokes with the Giants. So we're probably not going to be up and firing early like we were the last two years but in saying that, I'm confident in the young blokes that we've got."

PREDICTION: Fifth

Coach: Mitch Haddrill (first season)

Last season: Sixth

Gains: Len Haddrill, Sam O'Leary

Losses: Shannon Charlie, Jacon Lampton, Danny Benger, Alex Rogers, Zac Bradley, Hayden Leary, Isaac Pattison, Luke McLoughlin, Sam Robinson, Jade Curtis, Mick Foster, Codan Frankel, Kody Whiley

What we say: Departures at the Jets cut a swathe through their line-up and puts pressure on player numbers. The club is hoping to unveil some key 11^th hour arrivals and they do have some genuine class acts. But whether they have the depth to build a competitive team remains to be seen. 

What the coach says: "We've got a good core of blokes. It's just going to be our depth which is going to be the concerning thing. You'd be pretty naive to think you're going to go a whole season without having a couple of injuries but hopefully we can have as little of them as possible."

PREDICTION: Eighth

Coach: Kirk Hamblin (fourth season)

Last season: Runners-up

Gains: Guy Ward, Dayne Hancock, Ryan Pollack, Lachlan Robertson

Losses: Daniel Jordan, Lachie Highfield, Ned Mortimer, Charles Shaw

What we say: North Wagga's losses are big in stature rather than number: a league-leading goalkicker, a gun midfielder, the captain, and ruckman. There's a couple of smart additions and no doubt about the club's intent to surpass last year's effort, nor their ability to win plenty of games. It's just whether those losses can be adequately covered right to the end. 

What the coach says: "Confidence is sky high at the moment. We got a wake up call against Tigers but our last two hit-outs against Mangoplah and Turvey Park were very promising. I think the couple of blokes we recruited, Guy Ward and Dayne Hancock, are really going to surprise a few people and we're looking for improvement in our younger players."

PREDICTION: Second

Coach: Jake Wooden (third season)

Last season: Third

Gains: Jason Reid, Jeffrey Mannell, Max Richardson, Will McMartin, Layne Smith, Jacob Turner, Matt Harpley

Losses: Charlie Vallance, Chase Grintell, Lachlan Leary, Damien Ponting, Mark Breust, Abe Wooden, Anthony Atkin, Tim McAuley, Max Harper

What we say: The Kangaroo were a rung below North Wagga and Marrar last year but will be genuine contenders if they can hold form. There's a core hurting after 2017 but the 'if' is in personnel changes. Matt Harpley's return will be huge, although Matt Wallis hasn't confirmed his plans. And losing a starting ruckman always hurts. But Jacob Turner is classy, Jason Reid adds another dimension up forward and Will Reinhold could provide the x-factor. 

What the coach says: "I'm really happy with where we're sitting at. The last six weeks of the pre-season has been really good and training's been the best it has been for a while, even the last couple of years. I think we're in a good position. Even though we lost our two practice matches I thought we played some of our best footy for a while in both."

PREDICTION: Fourth

Coach: Tom Yates (third season)

Last season: Seventh

Gains: Andy Carey, Ben Fixter, Cody Cool, Jesse Cool, Brian Cummins, Michael Cummins, James Scott, Jade Curtis, Will Morley, Jordan Prestage, Leam Paton, Jake Gunning, Will Carroll

Losses: Derek Murray, Ben Farrell, Sam Lucas, Corey Lucas, Aiden Ridley, Matt Murray, Fraser Yates, Seth Vennell, Aaron Meyers

What we say: The Magpies were hurt by injuries and lack of depth last year, and have also lost goalkicker Dereky Murray. But a late clearance went in Wednesday for veteran premiership-winning forward Andy Carey to return. That'll be big. Mitch Stephenson (knee) is also on the comeback and TRYC have tried to rebuild into a quicker, younger outfit. There'll be no saloon passage for anyone into the top five but they can go close. 

What the coach says: "I'm hoping we can get back into finals. That's obviously the plan for a start. It's exciting and pretty well a new list... I expect the comp to be pretty even. I suppose we're the same as any side, it's going to a while to gel but I'm pretty confident the boys will adapt to how we want to play pretty quickly."

PREDICTION: Sixth

Round 1, Saturday April 6

EWK v Coleambally

North Wagga v Barellan

CSU v Temora

TRYC v Northern Jets

Bye: Marrar

Round 2, Saturday April 13

Northern Jets v EWK

Barellan v CSU

Coleambally v TRYC

Marrar v North Wagga

Bye: Temora

~ EASTER GENERAL BYE April 20 ~

Round 3, Saturday April 27

Barellan v Northern Jets

Marrar v TRYC

North Wagga v EWK

Temora v Coleambally

Bye: CSU

Round 4, Saturday May 4

Northern Jets v Marrar

EWK v Barellan

CSU v North Wagga

TRYC v Temora

Bye: Coleambally

Round 5, Saturday May 11

Coleambally v Barellan

EWK v CSU

North Wagga v TRYC

Temora v Marrar

Bye: Northern Jets

REP ROUND GENERAL BYE May 18

Round 6, Saturday May 25

Barellan v TRYC

North Wagga v Coleambally

Temora v Northern Jets

CSU v Marrar

Bye: EWK

Round 7, Saturday June 1

Barellan v Temora

Marrar v EWK

Northern Jets v Coleambally

TRYC v CSU

Bye: North Wagga

Round 8, Saturday June 8

Coleambally v Marrar

EWK v TRYC

North Wagga v Temora

CSU v Northern Jets

Bye: Barellan

Round 9, Saturday June 15

Northern Jets v North Wagga

Coleambally v CSU

Marrar v Barellan

Temora v EWK

Bye: TRYC

Round 10, Saturday June 22

Northern Jets v TRYC

Barellan v North Wagga

Coleambally v East Wagga

Temora v CSU

Bye: Marrar

Round 11, Saturday June 29

EWK v Northern Jets

North Wagga v Marrar

CSU v Barellan

TRYC v Coleambally

Bye: Temora

Round 12, Saturday July 6

Northern Jets v Barelllan

Coleambally v Temora

EWK v North Wagga

TRYC v Marrar

Bye: CSU

Round 13, Saturday July 13

Barellan v EWK

Marrar v Northern Jets

North Wagga v CSU

Temora v TRYC

Bye: Coleambally

Round 14, Saturday July 20

Barellan v Coleambally

Marrar v Temora

CSU v EWK

TRYC v North Wagga

Bye: Northern Jets

Round 15, Saturday July 27

Northern Jets v Temora

Coleambally v North Wagga

Marrar v CSU

TRYC v Barellan

Bye: EWK

Round 16, Saturday August 3

Coleambally v Northern Jets

EWK v Marrar

Temora v Barellan

CSU v TRYC

Bye: North Wagga

Round 17, Saturday August 10

Northern Jets v CSU

Marrar v Coleambally

Temora v North Wagga

TRYC v EWK

Bye: Barellan

Round 18, Saturday August 17

Barellan v Marrar

EWK v Temora

North Wagga v Northern Jets

CSU v Coleambally

Bye: TRYC

Qualifying Final: Saturday August 24

Elimination Final: Sunday August 25

Second Semi-Final: Saturday August 31

First Semi-Final: Sunday September 1

Preliminary Final: Saturday September 7

Grand Final: Saturday September 14