Southern Inland season preview: Race heats up for a more normal year

It is not quite there after the late withdrawal of Leeton, and the fact Hay and Deniliquin's place in second grade sees a large number of byes throughout the year, but it feels like we're almost there.

How teams manage the larger number of bye will be a telling factor, with a couple having a string of weeks off throughout the year.

Despite this it shapes as a much more even season.

Some teams have had massive changes since they were last on the paddock so it is hard to judge where they are at after missing last season but you feel like the ladder shake up is set to continue.

Wagga City went through the season unbeaten and the premiers look the team to chase down again in 2021 however who the leads the charge is definitely up for grabs as clubs get back into the swing of things.

It should see a more even competition as a whole.

Coach: Paul Hood (second season)

Last season: Third

Key gains: Ratu Josefa Ralima, Rosivela Nagatarogo, Rob McMahon

Key losses: Liam Krautz

What the coach says: We're looking pretty good. There are a few places where I'd like a bit more depth in but that's every year but we're pretty excited about the prospect of a full season. We've had really good numbers, which is a real positive, and a lot of the guys are new to the area so we will have to gauge what their impact is going to be throughout the year.

What we say: CSU were the big improvers last season as the club looks to become more competitive after almost a decade in the doldrums. Liam Krautz heading back to Albury is a massive loss for the side, but they've improved their depth which will help fill some of the Bill Castle Medal winner's void. If Reddies can continue on their path from last season they will definitely rise up the ladder, especially as the club looks to celebrate an anniversary season. However it's going to be a lot tougher this season with more rivals to tackle so it still could be a while before they get back to a higher level.

Prediction: Sixth

Coach: James Kora (first season)

Last season: Did not play. Preliminary finalists in 2019

Key gains: Koresi Waqanivalu, Mosese Baleidrokadroka, Tully MacPherson-Peacock, Dave Siakaking, Liam Flanagan, Tomasi Turuva

Key ins: Dave Cooper-Dunn, Andrew Dunn, Tom Boyle, Tim Carroll, Tom Harvey, Shaun Coel, James Devlin, Sam Allen, Tom Wilmore

What the coach says: We're looking alright. We've got a few players who have come in, we stole a few from the league side of town, so I think we are looking ok. It will be pretty good to see the club back in first grade after last year playing second grade and a lot of those players have gone into the first grade team. Our aim is to try and finish in finals and that will gauge how far we've come back.

What we say: Albury are almost starting from scratch with just five players from their 2019 preliminary final side still with the club. They've brought in some new faces but experience is hard to replace so quickly. The Steamers were strong in second grade last season and most of those players are a big part of their plans this season. It's a big step up and it could take a while for many to adjust to a different level but there is some potential on the border with a couple of club favourites at the helm and Liam Krautz back in their line up.

Prediction: Fourth

Coach: Michael Davis (third season)

Last season: Grand finalists

Key gains: Harry Tyson, Gerard McTaggart, Sam O'Leary

Key losses: Kurt Holzl, James Whiteley, Nathanael Mooney, Tom Green, Sam Palmer, Kula Kaloundonu, Sam Carwardine

What the coach says: It is going to be another building year, the same as last year, but we've certainly got a lot more depth than last year. It is great that bar Leeton everyone has been able to get back on board and participate. You can never really tell until a few weeks in but I wouldn't be surprised if it is a very even competition this year.

What we say: Waratahs almost pulled off an upset in the grand final to just fall short of a third straight title. While the perennial powerhouses are expected to be strong again they've taken a different approach this season with only a couple of new faces at the club while they've got a longer list of departures. High turnover is not a new thing for the club but it should see them drop closer to the chasing pack than in previous seasons. It's hard to write off a club that has been so strong for so long but some of the polish needs to be reapplied.

Prediction: Runners-up

Coach: Chris McGregor (first season)

Last season: Did not play. Fourth in 2019

Key gains: Hamish Wrafter

Key losses: Tikiko Koroivoutu, Timoti Tomeru, David Serukai

What the coach says: We've got good numbers and are developing all the time. We've got a lot of youth coming through and some experience so hopefully we can get the mixture right throughout the year. We are looking to play finals footy, that is our first goal, and we're looking to start the season strong. We've kept most of our squad plus picked up a couple.

What we say: The Blacks are starting afresh after being the only club not to have any presence last season. However unlike many of their rivals they've basically got the same personnel as did the last time they took to the field and that should hold them in good stead to be around the same level as before. David Serukai will be a loss but the year off has given some of their younger talent more time to mature. They've also got strong numbers which could be a big plus in the longer season.

Prediction: Third

Coach: Elliot Barrett (first season)

Last season: Did not play. Grand finalists in 2019

Key gains: Sam Carwardine, Harry Cooper, Hamish Spackman

Key losses: Duncan Woods, Matt Harris, Charles Callaghan, Luke Turner, Mike van Diggelen, Ben Brooke, Gerard McTaggart, Cam Duffy, Hamish Pennington, Pat Logan

What the coach says: We're still trying to gel as a team and we have a few injuries already so we're trying to get our combinations right in the early couple of rounds. For us in a rebuilding stage our main goal is to double our wins in the second round. We're just working to try and keep building as a team and as a club.

What we say: Ag College looked to be building something special before COVID stopped them in their tracks. They will field an almost unrecognisable line up to the team who pushed Waratahs in the 2019 grand final, with only two of their starting side still at the club. It's going to take some time to build back up, especially after a later start from their university base. Expect to see big improvement in the second half of the season but what level the young side can reach by then is the concern.

Prediction: Last

Coach: Ray 'JR' Wells (first season)

Last season: Fourth

Key gains: TJ Sala, Andy Graham

Key losses: Mitch Ivill, Will Luff, Tate O'Donovan

What the coach says: The lack of pre-season games, through no circumstances of our own, is going to hinder us a bit. Not having those games to fall back on to put into practice what we've been training is tough but we've been trying to work around that at training within the squad. Everyone tells me the numbers are better and we've worked hard on upskilling through both squads. Like everyone we could always do with more numbers but at this stage hopefully we can improve on last year's performances.

What we say: Tumut only won the one game last season but proved to be much more competitive than what the ladder suggested. With a new coach there is a new approach for the club which seems to be paying dividends with improved depth and there is plenty of positivity coming out of the hills. They lost some ground in 2019 but look set to make it back up as everyone tries to get back into the swing of things and should be back pushing for a finals berth once more.

Prediction: Fifth

Coach: Ben Schreiber (second season)

Last season: Premiers

Key gains: Dylan McLachlan, Jordan Little, Tyson McLachlan, Tom Blanch, Mikaera Smylie, Jone Kurusiga, Waisale Sautu Sauvinaloto, Tom Nabuliwaqa

Key losses: Rei Spooner, James Olds

What the coach says: We think it is a positive there are more teams able to compete this year so hopefully it makes for a more competition season with a bit more entertainment and variety for every one. We've recruited fairly well so I think it is going to put us in fairly good stead. We've lost James Olds, who is a massive loss after he went back to league, but at the same time we've picked up Dylan and Tyson and that has filled the void James had left and the boys are keen to rip into a full season this year.

What we say: Wagga City proved to be a cut above last season as they went through the shortened season undefeated to end their premiership drought. If anything they look to be stronger again this season, which should be a big worry for their rivals. The addition of Dylan McLachlan will give their attack a new dimension, which already had plenty of points in them, and they've added in plenty of size as well. It will take a strong effort to get the better of them again in 2021. The clear team to beat.

Prediction: Premiers