The two proud clubs again shape up as forces but a number of intriguing changes among the chasing pack add spice to what should be another entertaining season.

Coach: Frank Alampi (second year)

Last year: Premiers

Key gains: Carlo Trifogli

Key losses: Conor Edenden, Sam Pirrottina, Dan McKenzie

What the coach says: "Our aim is to achieve that same feeling we ended last season with. Anything less than that would be disappointing. We've got to make sure we do all the right things to give ourselves every opportunity to do that."

Overview: The reigning premiers will again be thereabouts when the whips are cracking this season. Led by experienced coach Frank Alampi, United again possess a squad that should see them play finals football. They have lost some of the quality from last season, and that list could grow, but there is still more than enough talent within Leeton's squad to have a serious crack at back-to-back titles.

Prediction: Second

Coach: Brian Bertolin (first year)

Last year: Second

Key gains: Joey Schirripa, Andy Gamble, Michael Bresolin

Key losses: Michael Musitano, Joe Catanzariti

What the coach says: "I think we want to be in finals, number one, then from there we can reassess it. We definitely want to be playing finals."

Overview: The Griffith heavyweights again shape as one of competition front-runners. They won the title in their first season back in the Pascoe Cup, and then went to extra-time with Leeton in last year's decider. They welcome back top-end talent in Joey Schirripa and Andy Gamble, while Michael Bresolin should also prove a valuable addition. Hanwood will again possess one of the strongest squads in the league and know how to win a title.

Prediction: Premiers

Coach: Michael Babic and Michael Menser (first year)

Last year: Third

Key gains: Matt Menser, Tyler Allen

Key losses: Jake Ploenges, James Thomson, Ned Evans, Joel Tancredi

What the coach says: "We hope to play finals, that's where we want to end up. The most important thing is that we improve throughout the year. We might be slow to start but we want to improve each week." (Matt Menser)

Overview: Henwood Park were one of the last clubs to appoint their coaches but it was worth the wait. Michael Babic and Matt Menser combine after leading Wagga City Wanderers to a historic maiden NPL Two title last year. The Hawks have lost some top-end talent to the Wanderers but the on-field addition of Menser cannot be understated, while Tyler Allen is a great pick-up as well. Expect Henwood Park to take some time to find their feet, but they won't be far away come season's end.

Prediction: Fourth

Coach: Duncan Cameron (first year)

Last year: Fourth

Key gains: Liam Cheyne, Jordan Osborne, Jarrod Schiller

Key losses: Isaac Hines, Angus Johnson, Calum McCaffery, Duncan Cameron

What the coach says: "The goal is definitely to win it. If we could make top two, that's the biggest goal. That's the biggest thing we've spoken about at training."

Overview: Duncan Cameron steps up to the coaching role, replacing Mark Mellish. Cameron won't be seen on-field, after undergoing back surgery, but knows the club as well as anyone. Young proved one of the surprise packets of last year's competition but have since experienced a considerable turnover in players. They showed last year how much talent is coming through at the club and while there has been some departures, expect Young to again prove very competitive.

Prediction: Sixth

Coach: Lachlan Anderson (first year)

Last year: Fifth

Key gains: Nil

Key losses: Dylan Piper-Bye, James Goode, Will Goode, Tim Dixon, Dan Dixon

What the coach says: "Because we've had such a dramatic change, I think this first game is about showing ourselves that we can be competitive, which I believe we can be. Anything from sixth to seventh would be a good year, because it's hard to say how well our players will develop."

Overview: As what happens with small towns, Tumut has experienced a large number of departures with several players moving for university, while others have simply moved on. Tumut finished last season full of running, claiming the Pascoe Plate. First-year coach Lachlan Anderson faces a tough task in repeating last year's efforts, given the Eagles' squad is much skinnier to last year.

Prediction: Eighth

Coach: Scott Elphick (first year)

Last year: Sixth

Key gains: Prince Thompson

Key losses: Matt Kelly, Jaiden O'Brien, Matt Kleine, Mitch Henman

What the coach says: "The club is brimming with young talent - this year our focus is on developing those players and playing a new style of football. Our squad is motivated and working hard. I look forward to seeing them gel as a team throughout the season."

Overview: It has been a significant changing of the guard at Tolland with a number of experienced and talented footballers moving on. Scott Elphick returns to the club with a clear focus on developing the Wolves' next generation. It is hard to see Tolland fighting it out for finals based on their departures but they are sure to surprise a team or two throughout the season.

Prediction: Seventh

Coach: Aaron Mo'Ane and Scott Rohrich (first year)

Last year: Eighth

Key gains: Kai Watts, Cooper Kell, Matt Kelly, Dom Bertazzo, Dan Lawrence, Jayden Beattie

Key losses: Prince Thompson, Moses Adesola, Adrian Merrigan, Alec Hope

What the coach says: "Obviously we want to make finals, that's the first thing. One of the main focuses has been that we want to play good football, and I can't stress that enough. We want everyone to get on and the team has to come first."

Overview: It will be a brand new Wagga United that hits the park in round one, with arguably no club experiencing as much turnover as the Crows. The club opted for a new direction and is certainly has gone that way with a number of new faces set to don the orange and black in 2021. Kai Watts, Matt Kelly and Cooper Kell are just some of the names that will provide United with quality, but the losses also cannot be underestimated. Expect Wagga United to improve as the year goes on and claim a scalp or two in the process.

Prediction: Fifth

Coach: Chris Ayton and Kyle Harrison (first year)

Last year: Seventh

Key gains: Levi Hughes, Jaiden O'Brien, Matt Kleine, Mitch Henman

Key losses: Nil

What the coach says: "Semi finals for us, that top four finish, that's what we're aiming for. Last year the boys missed out on top four but we've had a pretty big pre-season and we're keen to be back in finals. I think we've got the side that once you're there, anything can happen."

Overview: Last year's finish was disappointing by Lake Albert's recent standards and the Sharks have set their sights on a return to finals. The injection of guys like Jaiden O'Brien and Matt Kleine will certainly help them in that quest, providing some spark that Lake Albert often lacked last season. The added bonus of no departures should make a finals return certainly achievable and the Sharks shape as Wagga's best chance for the title.

Prediction: Third

Coach: Andy Heller (second year)

Last year: Ninth

Key gains: Luigi Vitulano, Nick Forysth, Luke Hanna, Mitch Read, Chris Kaisella, Luke Nichols

Key losses: Nil

What the coach says: "The goal is to win a game, score a goal...small wins. Last season the focus was on a culture rebuild and we've done that. I'm not expecting us to be world beaters but I'm certainly looking for us to be more competitive than last season."

Overview: South Wagga are under no illusion about where they sit but are quietly confident they will be a much more competitive outfit in 2021. Last year's COVID-interrupted season wasn't easy for anyone, but the Warriors are content with the steps that were taken off the field. Some new and returning faces should see South Wagga more competitive, and hopefully a win or two awaits in the season ahead.

Prediction: Ninth

Coach: Mick Godbier

Last year: Didn't play

Key gains: Nick Ash, Steve Armstrong

Key losses: Nil

What the president says: "We all understand it is a rebuilding year, and that's probably our big goal for the season. The nucleus of our side is young fellas and we want to see them improve. All the players and committee are behind Mick (Godbier) 100 per cent." (Andrew Parkinson)

Overview: Full credit to Cootamundra for biting the bullet and returning to the Pascoe Cup competition. The Strikers are under no illusions as to how tough the year ahead will be but are doing it in the best interests of the future of their club. This year will be a small but important step in the Strikers returning to their 'glory days'.

Prediction: Tenth

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