With one-day cricket king in the new Wagga Cricket season plenty of form could be thrown out the window as teams look to adapt. Clubs with better depth of talent in their line ups, instead of relying on big contributions from a select few, look to be the winners of the different approach but whether it is enough for a changing of the guard is yet to be seen.
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WAGGA CITY
Last year: Premiers
Coach: Josh Thompson
Captain: Josh Thompson
Gains: Nil
Losses: Rob Nicoll
Thoughts on the season ahead: "I think everyone has done a fair bit of work over the last two and half months at training so it feels good. We've been concentrating on fitness as I think the extra 20 overs at the end of games might hurt teams and there is definitely a lot more planning involved with bowling and batting and giving certain roles. We've made it very obvious." - Josh Thompson
Verdict: Wagga City rose to the top late in the season with their mix of youth and experience and there has been very little change in personnel this season. With their young brigade having another season under their belt it bodes well for the Cats but now they are the hunted rather than the hunter and have to deal with the added expectations. However with the likes of Jon Nicoll and Josh Thompson leading from the front it shapes as another good season for the club.
Prediction: Second
ST MICHAELS
Last year: Third
Coach: Justin Ward
Captain: Beck Frostick
Gains: Jack Reynolds, Chris Donaldson, Dayne Hancock
Losses: James Evans, Kyle Buckley, Tom Byrnes
Thoughts on the season ahead: "We've lost some big players from last year but we've got really good numbers coming to training, have a couple of new faces. We are looking forward to the season and there is plenty of talent in the squad." - Beck Frostick
Verdict: It shaped as a big season for St Michaels last time around but they couldn't quite deliver despite getting in a great position in the preliminary final. Tom Byrnes was a big part of it and now they've lost him so they need to find other avenues for success. The Saints have the biggest turnover of players this season and it could be a concern with little between the chasing pack.
Prediction: Fifth
LAKE ALBERT
Last year: Last
Coach: Matt Tansey
Captain: Isaac Cooper
Gains: Nil
Losses: Ryan Jamieson, Danny Webber, Scott Billington
Thoughts on the season ahead: "We're turning over a younger leaf but have been training for six to eight weeks, when conditions have let us, and it is very exciting. There is a really exciting atmosphere around the place so we're really looking forward to the season starting and seeing where we are really at. We think we are going alright and I'll be disappointed if we don't make the four" - Matt Tansey
Verdict: Lake Albert struggled for consistency last season and with more experience coming out of their side it could be another tough season. Little separated the bottom three teams last season so they shouldn't be far off the mark and with plans to give their youth a taste of the top grades it could bode well for seasons to come.
Prediction: Last
KOORINGAL COLTS
Last year: Fifth
Coach: Craig Footman
Captain: Keenan Hanigan
Gains: Hamish Starr, Hayden Watling, Zac Hines
Losses: Luke Richardson
Thoughts on the season ahead: "It's been a good off-season. It's been a bit shorter than last year, and we've only been training for the last month which I think is a bit better. We've got a lot of young kids this season so hopefully we can get a few more wins on the board. It's a bit different with 50-over cricket this year, which is going to be different for everyone, and we will learn more as the rounds go on" - Keenan Hanigan
Verdict: It took a long time for Colts to get going last season after a horror start but they proved they were more than competitive with the top sides by the end of it. Consistency will be the key to helping them get back to their 2018 form, where they finished third, but it also shows they match it with the best as they look on track for a return to finals cricket with a couple of new faces joining an experienced line up.
Prediction: Third
SOUTH WAGGA
Last year: Second
Coach: Joel Robinson and Warren Clunes
Captain: Luke Gerhard
Gains: Jed Guthrie, Chase Grintell
Losses: Lachie Skelly. Hayden Watling
Thoughts on the season ahead: "This year cricket has been on our mind for a fair while and it is different playing one-day cricket with no two-day cricket this year but I think it is going to be for the best. We're a pretty well balanced side and I think one-dayers will suit nearly every team in the comp. Everyone has picked up so you won't know until two or three rounds in who is going to be the best." - Luke Gerhard
Verdict: The Blues were the benchmark for the majority of last season before coming unstuck in finals. It's nothing new for the club, who have an enviable record of making grand finals but not as much when it comes to titles. However they've got plenty of experience in their side, great versatility and possess plenty of players who can step up when required to. It shapes as another good season for the club who will be hungrier to get back on top.
Prediction: Premiers
WAGGA RSL
Last year: Fourth
Coach: Tom Perry and Ben Willis
Captain: Sam Perry
Gains: Will Scott, Joe Kenny, Charlie Cull, Judd McLeod
Losses: Marcus Sevior
Thoughts on the season ahead: "Now that is one-dayers we've certainly put a focus on turning the strike over and this year we've put more of an emphasis on coming up with game plans. In the nets we've focused on if you're batting in the first 10 overs or the last 10 overs. Hopefully a few more people can step up the grades this year and provide something (with the bat)." - Sam Perry
Verdict: Wagga RSL have bolstered their bowling ranks again this season but it's batting that has been their Achilles heel in recent seasons. They did enough to make finals last season and will be in the thick of the battle once more but need to find more runs, and consistent runs, if they are going to take the next step and be a real contender for the premiership.
Prediction: Fourth