Coach: Alex Lawder (first season)

2019 result: Ninth

Key gains (since 2019): James McCabe, Ben Cleaver, Marcus Lawrence, Josh Britliff, Michael Lovett, Alex Lawder, Tim Sidebottom, Reece Matheson, Sam Foley

Key losses: Shaun Allan, David Dore

Overview: A host of Canberra inclusions will improve the Two Blues. Utility James McCabe is the latest, and there's interest particularly in the experienced Cleaver, Lawder and Lovett. Pre-season form includes a win against Canberra third grade side Googong and a narrow loss to Narrandera. Lawder is hopeful of five wins but says he's also realistic that "things don't happen overnight."

Key factors: Sean Ellis is still there and will bring excitement. But Lawder believes their season's fortunes hinge on a bigger picture: Barellan, as a whole. "I think it's more the buy-in from the team and the town... Anything's possible when everyone's going towards a common goal. There's a good vibe around the town and a feeling that we can build and have some success."

PREDICTION: Seventh

Coach: Travis Cohalan (first season)

2019 result: Sixth

Key gains (since 2019): Andrew Dickins, Grant Daly, Scott Barlin, Cayleb Dunne-Argus, Jacob Collingridge, Max Findlay, Steve Marsden, Jacob Bell

Key losses: Brayden Ambler, Jack Thompson-Gardener, Pat Noonan, Ben Keith, Lou Miller, Joe and Tom Stapleton, Dylan McPhail, Liam Sweeney, Nick Wright, Max Hanrahan

Overview: The Bushpigs have faced a significant exodus and a lot of players with key roles have moved on but Cohalan believes they've got the nucleus of a strong side, led by Lachie Moore and Wayde Archibald, coupled with new arrivals. But their competitors from outside the five last time might all be improving.

Key factors: Big man Andrew Dickins has the potential to be a key Farrer League player. He's a proven Riverina League performer and the coach is confident they have a lot of underestimated personnel: "We think we've got a group of players here, for all different reasons, who we're excited about," Cohalan said. "From players who didn't get to play any football last year and are keen to get back, to guys who were maybe fringe players at other Farrer League or RFL clubs and will get an opportunity with us to prove themselves."

PREDICTION: Ninth

Coaches: Luke Hillier (second season) and Curtis Steele (first season)

2019 finish: Fifth (lost elimination final)

Key gains (since 2019): Jade Hodge, Guy Orton, Tom and Theo Valeri, Daniel, Matt and Luke Peruzzi

Key losses: Graham O'Connell, Dwayne Weetra, Jack Cullen, Charlie McAdam

Overview: The Blues loom as big improvers with plenty of arrivals led by ex-Griffith coach (and league medallist) Guy Orton, and former Leeton-Whitton premiership-winning coach Jade Hodge. The Valeri and Peruzzi brothers come out of a Griffith club packed full of depth in recent seasons. A pre-season comeback win against Jerilderie is their only trial form.

Key factors: Any team with Orton and Steele in the middle and Hodge up forward is likely to cause some headaches. Quality footballers who, if not in their prime, are primed to deliver in a new challenge. Hodge was in another grand final last year, Steele was back at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong also in the high-quality AFL Riverina Championship, and Orton will be champing at the bit after a year off.

PREDICTION: Second

Coach: Matt Hard (third season)

2019 result: Runners-up

Key gains (since 2019): Jarrad Boumann, Ben Cadzow, Luke Cuthbert, Tim Smith, Alex Rogers, Dan and Keiren McCarthy, Nathan Scott

Key losses: Chris Gordon, Nick Hull, Chris Ladhams, Sam Hodges

Overview: The Hawks have had some huge names depart since their grand final loss. But their recruitment for 2020 (Smith, Rogers, Scott, and Daniel McCarthy) mostly stayed intact, Ben Absolum hasn't left, and Cadzow (Coolamon) and Cuthbert (EWK) are premiership players coming in. There's work ahead after heavy trial losses to Wagga Tigers and Coolamon but they have the personnel to turn that around.

Key factors: Jarrad Boumann is big, strong and experienced. He hasn't always lived up to his billing since he was a promising AFL listed player but if he does, look out. Importantly, the Hawks might have the right combination of experience players still with upside, and young footballers who can stamp their mark. "Ryan Bourne's had a very good pre-season... Max Tiernan will probably have a key defensive post for us. Hayden Nelson is another, Caleb Wild. A few of those kids we're looking to get games into," Hard said.

PREDICTION: Premiers

Coach: Shane Lenon (fourth season)

2019 result: Third (knocked out in preliminary final)

Key gains (since 2019): James Lawton, Hugh Templeton, Liam James, Dan O'Bryan, Cane Graetz, Brodie Neville, Josh Connellan, Jack McPherson, Josh O'Callaghan

Key losses: Drew Beavan, Adam Whyte, Cal Gardner, Brad Moye, Tyler Moye, Tyler Cunningham, Nick Cooper, Jackson Sanbrook, Josh Hagar, Truman Carroll

Overview: The Bombers underwent one changing of the guard after 2018 and now there's virtually another. But they brought on plenty of young players in 2019 and made it to a preliminary final. A year and a half on, they could remain top three. "It's a bit of an unknown. It's going to be a fairly young side but it's exciting," Lenon said. "With youth there's usually a lot of room for upside and as a coach it's good to be able to help young blokes develop." They had a heavy trial loss at Collingullie but a good win against Griffith.

Key factors: James Lawton's first season could hold the key to Marrar's fortunes. Fit and firing, the key forward is an excitement machine. Like many other clubs, their best will depend on younger players' ability to step up. Lenon labels Blake Walker, Sam Emery and Wilbur Moloney as players he's excited to see.

PREDICTION: Third

Coach: Cayden Winter (first season)

2019 finish: Premiers

Key gains (since 2019): Daniel Jordan, Dylan McDermott, Xavier Lyons, Sean and Ben Keith, Elliot Winter, Lachie Johnson

Key losses: Troy Curtis, Jake May, James Morris, Lachie Steward, Guy Ward, Jed Winter, Tom Bennetts, Brayden Skeers, Luke Walsh, Kane Flack

Overview: Star forward Daniel Jordan's return is valuable, offering a big body forward or back in a side that doesn't look huge. After so many departures (only seven premiership players remain), other new faces are going to be important - players who offer Riverina League experience (Lyons, Keiths, Winter and Johnson) and are ready to make a name for themselves, and bring on young teammates. Had two good practice match wins against Wahgunyah and Cudgewa and were handy in a loss to Turvey Park.

Key factors: Former Cootamundra gun Dylan McDermott steps out of the Canberra regional comp and looks ready to make a name for himself in the Farrer. "From his practice matches and how he's been training he should be really exciting to watch and play with," Winter said, adding that he'll have to make some hard selection calls for round one, indicating one of Saints' strengths: good numbers.

PREDICTION: Fifth

Coach: Josh Avis (first season)

2019 finish: Seventh

Key gains (since 2019): Sam Fisher, Ryan Quade

Key losses: Josh Parmenter, Jacob Bell, Aiden Cattle, Paddy Bray, Roland Finch

Overview: The Jets didn't make any big moves in the off-season but ensured their quality pick-ups for last year, Sam Fisher and Ryan Quade, would be back for 2021. Highly experienced in Canberra, Quade will marshal their defence but can go forward, where he'd be an asset alongside Matt Wallis. They'll again have a very good top half-a-dozen players and their hopes will hinge on whether they can make that a very good dozen.

Key factors: Fisher and Quade will be valuable not only for ability and leadership, but for the pressure it will ease on two-time league medallist and former coach Mitch Haddrill. Jack Fisher is another in a quality midfield but ruck Matt Carroll is unavailable at least for the start of the year. The improvement in their promising juniors led by Mitch Doyle and Josh Roscarel could make a big difference.

PREDICTION: Sixth

Coach: Jake Wooden (fourth season)

2019 finish: Fourth (lost first semi-final)

Key gains (since 2019): Jack Cullen, Brad Moye, Tyler Moye, Riley Hubbard, Grant Haigh

Key losses: Matt Harpley, Max Richardson, Charlie Boyton, Will Reinhold, Luke Gerhard, Sam Jensen, Kieran Shea, Colby Poole, Jeff Mannell

Overview: Another team that will look vastly different to a couple of years ago, the Roos' losses include their best-and-fairest (Richardson) and runner-up (Reinhold) of 2019 and key forward Matt Harpley. They have some good ins in key forward Cullen (who was to play at North Albury last year), and multiple premiership winner Brad Moye. But there are big shoes to fill across the board. Riley Hubbard is in line for centre-half-back and Grant Haigh from Goulburn into the ruck. The Roos had a trial loss to Batemans Bay and a win against Lockhart. Their depth in reserves was a query last season and they'll bank on youth.

Key factors: Emerging juniors Liam Sinclair and Joe Morton are two who impressed Wooden in the pre-season. "I'm really encouraged with the young blokes coming up. Liam (on a wing) and Joey (on a half-back-flank and on-ball) played exceptionally well in those games," Wooden said.

PREDICTION: Eighth

Coaches: Brad Aiken and Heath Russell (first season)

2019 finish: Eighth

Key gains (since 2019): Riley Budd, Dean Biermann, Joey Kerin, Joe Hancock, Dylan Cook, Will Adams, Joe Adams, Shannon Williams

Key losses: Tom Yates, Jack Driscoll, Ted Fellows, Luke Fellows, Jade Curtis

Overview: Four key Canberra signings lead an influx for what the 'Pies hope will be a season of revival. Had a good win against Lockhart and were close in a hit-out with Howlong. Depth is often a query for TRYC but if their top players stay fit, they intend to aim right up. Will Adams and Jordy Kemp have impressed so far and Harri White and Mitch Stephenson are both back from knee reconstructions.

Key factors: Riley Budd looks a serious footballer, and a big body who can play anywhere. He lived up to expectation in the 'Pies in his first hit-out and with Biermann and Kerin forward, they have some firepower. "We're excited to get those boys but ... it's what our local guys do that's probably going to have the biggest bearing on how we sit," Russell said. "Our goal is we'd love to get the side back to finals and we've challenged the boys to try and do that."

PREDICTION: Fourth

Round 1, April 10

Marrar v Northern Jets

Coleambally v CSU

EWK v TRYC

Temora v North Wagga

Bye: Barellan

Round 2, April 17

Northern Jets v Barellan

CSU v Marrar

TRYC v Coleambally

North Wagga v EWK

Bye: Temora

Round 3, April 24

Marrar v TRYC

Coleambally v North Wagga

Barellan v CSU

EWK v Temora

Bye: Northern Jets

Round 4, May 1

TRYC v Barellan

North Wagga v Marrar

Temora v Coleambally

CSU V Northern Jets

Bye: EWK

Round 5, May 8

Barellan v North Wagga

Marrar v Temora

Coleambally v EWK

Northern Jets v TRYC

Bye: CSU

Round 6, May 15

Temora v Barellan

EWK v Marrar

North Wagga v Northern Jets

TRYC v CSU

Bye: Coleambally

Round 7, May 22

Barellan v EWK

Marrar v Coleambally

Northern Jets v Temora

CSU v North Wagga

Bye: TRYC

Round 8, May 29

Coleambally v Barellan

EWK v Northern Jets

Temora v CSU

North Wagga v TRYC

Bye: Marrar

Round 9, June 5

Barellan v Marrar

Northern Jets v Coleambally

CSU V EWK

TRYC v Temora

Bye: North Wagga

General Bye: June 12

Round 10, June 19

Northern Jets v Marrar

CSU V Coleambally

TRYC v EWK

North Wagga v Temora

Bye: Barellan

Round 11, June 26

Barellan v Northern Jets

Marrar v CSU

Coleambally v TRYC

EWK v North Wagga

Bye: Temora

Round 12, July 3

CSU V Barellan

TRYC v Marrar

North Wagga v Coleambally

Temora v EWK

Bye: Northern Jets

Round 13, July 10

Barellan v TRYC

Marrar v North Wagga

Coleambally v Temora

Northern Jets v CSU

Bye: EWK

Round 14, July 17

North Wagga v Barellan

Temora v Marrar

EWK v Coleambally

TRYC v Northern Jets (Sun)

Bye: CSU

Round 15, July 24

Barellan v Temora

Marrar v EWK

Northern Jets v North Wagga

CSU V TRYC

Bye: Coleambally

Round 16, July 31

EWK v Barellan

Coleambally v Marrar

Temora v Northern Jets

North Wagga v CSU

Bye: TRYC

Round 17, August 7

Barellan v Coleambally

Northern Jets v EWK

CSU v Temora

TRYC v North Wagga

Bye: Marrar

Round 18, August 14

Marrar v Barellan

Coleambally v Northern Jets

EWK v CSU

Temora v TRYC

Bye: North Wagga

FINALS:

Week One:

Qualifying Final: August 21

Elimination Final: August 22

Week Two:

Second Semi-Final: August 28

First Semi-Final: August 29

Week Three: Preliminary Final: September 4

GRAND FINAL: September 11