Best kick in the competition.

6. JOEL MACKIE

(Albury)

Took the competition by storm last season with his uncompromising style of play.

Led the Morris medal at the halfway stage and silenced even the harshest of critics with one of the best grand final performances in recent memory.

Creates havoc when resting forward.

7. KADE STEVENS

(Lavington)

Dropped weight over the summer, but unlikely to drop his possession rate.

Is reaping the rewards of his first full pre-season in three years after knee problems and will be a major force if the Panthers are going to push for finals action.

Difficult to find a more respected player in the league.

8. MARK DOOLAN

(Wod Raiders)

Has set a frightening pace during pre-season training without the injury concerns of last year.

Along with Daly, the Raiders’ ball-magnet is close to the best inside midfielder going around and already has four best and fairests in the trophy cabinet.

Will appreciate the extra help at Birallee Park.

9. JARROD TWITT

(Wodonga)

The reigning Bulldog best and fairest winner’s blinding pace stands him out from most.

Coming off his best year at the John Flower Oval with 22 goals which underlines his value considering the amount of time he spends in the midfield.

Will be even more dangerous with Hayden Heta putting the ball down his throat.

10. BRETT DOSWELL

(Wodonga)

The Bulldogs have asked plenty of Doswell in recent years because of his versatility and ability to play as a tall and he has rarely let them down.

Has a knack of getting out of trouble in traffic and seems to bob with a goals at crucial stages.

Quality performer.

11. DANIEL MAHER

(Albury)

One of the fittest players in the O and M.

The Tiger assistant-coach is coming off a stellar season as a wingman-flanker and is a vital cog in the most complete midfield the competition has seen for several years.

Runs as hard in the final quarter as the first and has a left-foot capable of inflicting plenty of damage.

12. JAMIE ALLAN

(Wangaratta)

Took time to hit his straps at the Norm Minns Oval after crossing from Wangaratta Rovers, but hit top gear late with his class coming to the fore in big matches.

Super-fit and should be able to cope with the added attention that comes his way following the departure of Jon McCormick.

Finds the football better than most.

13. CHRIS OLIVER

(CorOWA-R’glen)

Shapin g up as the premier ruckman in the league.

Was forced to spent too much up forward last season, but that problem looks to have been solved with recruit Nick Whiterod coming on board.

His burly frame makes him immovable at the centre bounces and the former St Kilda big-man knows how to take a grab around the ground.

14. DAVID CLARK

(Corowa-R’glen)

Was either red-hot or cold last year and needs to find middle ground in 2010.

Few players are more watch-able in the O and M when on song as the Roo star showed for the O and M in their big win against the Goulburn Valley at Shepparton.

Silky-smooth mover who makes goal-kicking look ridiculously easy.

15. ADAM COOK

(Wod Raiders)

Played second fiddle to Adam Prior last season and 28 goals from 17 matches was probably below par considering the reputation he arrived in town with.

But with Prior gone, the former VFL forward becomes the main man inside 50m and it would be a major surprise if he didn’t rocket up the goalkicking table.

Showed enough in glimpses in 2009 to suggest he will challenge for the Strang.

16. MATT PENDERGAST

(Lavington)

Like many of his Panther teammates, the on-baller was hampered by injury and form problems last season and failed to reach his usual lofty heights.

Will spend more time in the centre with Bill Neely moving on and should return to his status as one of the best accumulators in the league.

17. MATT McDONALD

(North Albury)

Hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving from Riverina league club Griffith and was rewarded by winning the Hoppers’ best and fairest award last season.

Takes over as the club’s No.1 on-baller with Brad Horn moving to Queensland and is up to the challenge ahead.

The second most important player at the club behind Leslie.

18. LUKE CARROLL

(Albury)

Showed his class in last year’s finals series and, although the clock is ticking on his career, still rates in the best 20 players in the league.

Has enjoyed the switch from the midfield to defence where coach Paul Spargo tries to free him up as the sweeper at every opportunity.

Pre-season forms suggests a big 2010.

19. KARL NORMAN

(Wang Rovers)

Hasn’t delivered on his potential since returning to the Rovers, but looks in better shape than previous campaigns and coach Matt Allen plans to use him in the ruck.

Undisputed talent and, like the Hawks, appears to be on the rise after several years in hibernation.

Should be able to handle down the No.1 ruck post with a dearth of genuine big-men in the league this season and that spells trouble for rival clubs.

20. MARC LONERGAN

(Yarrawonga)

One of the most respected key defenders in the league and should be able to settle in the role with the Pigeons bolstering their ruck stocks over the summer.

Made a real impact last year after returning from up north and will be better with a pre-season under his belt.

Rarely lowers his colours against the league’s power forwards.

21. XAVIER LESLIE

Yarrawonga

Although the Pigeon captain is unlikely to play every match this season after recently being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, the dual best and fairest is too good a player to be ignored.

Outstanding in the heat of battle and will be managed well enough to remain one of the best players in the

O and M.

22. DAINE PORTER

(Wangaratta)

One of the league’s unsung heroes.

While he may not have the attacking flair of some of the league’s biggest names, the Magpie is equally as effective with him rarely out of the club’s best players.

Can attack or perform lock-down roles and is unlikely to let his brother (coach Judd) down in 2010.

23. ADAM WILLIAMS

(Wodonga)

The big Bulldog has come a long way since being a fringe player at North Albury earlier in his career.

Williams led one of the meanest defences in the competition last year and again looks a key player in how far Wodonga can progress at the business end of the season.

Tough, skilful and few are able to better read the play.

24. CAOLAN BUCKLEY

(Wangaratta Rovers)

Had his debut season ruined by a thumb injury, but showed enough to indicate he should be an outstanding acquisition at the W.J. Findlay Oval.

Hard at the ball and adds spice to the Hawk midfield.

Played only 11 matches last year and looks set to deliver.

25. LUKE MULLINS

(Wangaratta)

Kicked 45 goals in 20 matches last season to top the Magpies’ goalkicking as a medium-sized forward.

Beautiful kick for goal and, with Jarrod Hayse and Dale Whelan alongside him, could be set for an even better season inside the 50m arc.

Demands respect for entire matches due to his incredible accuracy.

26. TODD BRYANT

(Wod Raiders)

The former Rising Star winner is only going to benefit from the Raiders picking up a couple of hard-nut midfielders in Tom Langlands and Todd Cook.

Has proven an excitement machine in his brief O and M career and could be ready to take the next step as Corey Lambert’s charges eye a berth in the finals.

27. JARROD HAYSE

(Wangaratta)

Can do better than last season even though he finished with a respectable 42 majors.

One of the quality forwards in the competition when on song and his output will have a big say on how far the Magpies can kick on from last year.

Strong hands and uncanny goal-sense.

28. JOSH WALKER

(Wodonga)

The Bulldog skipper could find space to move in a telephone box.

Has a licence to zone-off and attack with his value never more evident than in last year’s first semi-final thriller against Wangaratta.

Driving kick from half-back makes him a serious weapon for Jarrod Twitt.

29. CHARLIE GAYLARD

(Albury)

The Rolls Royce at Tigerland.

Has benefited greatly since the arrival of boom recruits Hyde, Daly and Mackie last

season and looks set to reap further rewards with his silky skills creating havoc off a wing.

Loves to drift forward and provide another goal-kicking option.

30. SAM CARUSO

(Wang Rovers)

Hasn’t done a lot in O and M ranks but the son of former Hawk champion Mick oozes class.

Club officials were delighted when he opted to stay at his home club as he showed enormous potential in four matches when free of Bushies commitments last year.

Forms a potent midfield with Andy Hill, Sean O’Keeffe and Caolan Buckley.

31. DAVID THAYER

(Wangaratta)

Dealt with the disappointment of missing out on the 2008 flag superbly by turning into one of the premier backmen in the competition.

Shut down most key forwards in the league including Adam Prior and was genuinely unlucky to miss an O and M jumper.

Plays the negating game to perfection.

32. JUDD PORTER

(Wangaratta)

Shouldn’t be too bothered about taking over as coach as he’s been a leader at the club for years and learnt from two of the best in the business in Jon Henry and Jason Lappin.

Like his brother Daine, Porter will let his actions do the talking rather than chase the headlines.

It’s hard to remember the last time he was beaten.

33. KYLE ARCHIBALD

(Yarrawonga)

The Pigeon backman remains one of the most respected defenders in the league.

Loves to crash packs with his aggression and link up further afield and always looks a better player when Marc Lonergan is in the same area of the ground.

The former West Adelaide player will be still hurting from last year’s grand final.

34. MATT WOLLINGTON

(Yarrawonga)

The former VCFL representative is a proven performer at this level and just needs his body to hold up after being battered in recent seasons.

Deserves a change of luck as the Pigeons attempt to chase down reigning premier Albury.

Provides great dash and courage from defence and is a vital link for Craig Ednie.

35. MATT KELLY

(Wangaratta)

One of the finds of 2009.

Returned to the Norm Minns Oval from Bright last season and, while many of his teammates battled for consistency after back-to-back flags, Kelly was rock-solid.

Finished equal runner-up in the Morris Medal and the Magpies will need him to reproduce the performance with Jon McCormick and Jesse Smith departing.

36. BRANDON RYAN

(North Albury)

Had a disappointing year in 2009 due to injuries but is a genuine topliner at North Albury and will assume more responsibility with Brad Horn moving on.

Although he doesn’t get the raps he deserves because of his untidy kicking action, rarely slips below 30 possessions a match with his ability to accumulate touches going largely unnoticed.

37. LUKE PACKER

(Albury)

Came of age last season.

After several years on the fringe, Packer was given a chance to cement himself as a senior player and did so in devastating fashion with his run-and-carry style.

Looks set to play mainly in defence but was given time in the centre against Belconnen in a recent practice match and let nobody down.

38. JOSH CHAPMAN

(Myrtleford)

Chapman deserves a break. Has missed out on individual accolades in previous years because he plays for a battling club but couldn’t have done any more than win the Saints’ last two best and fairest awards.

The centreman is rated by opposition clubs as his phone ran hot over the summer with several O and M and Murray league clubs eager for his signature.

39. CADE MILLS

(Corowa-R’glen)

The Roo returned to his favourite role as a run-with midfielder last season and claimed scalp after scalp on his way to finishing third in the club’s best and

fairest award.

With recruits Mark Ainley and Matt Gadsden expected to play attacking roles, Mills will provide the accountability in the centre square.

One of the most respected players at the John Foord Oval.

40. JARROD HODGKIN

(Wodonga)

Hodgkin’s selection will raise some eyebrows but the youngster showed enough in last year’s first semi-final to suggest he’ll make a big impression in O and M ranks.

Has a strong body for a player just out of the Bushrangers and coach Jarrod Twitt will be hoping he can contribute two goals a match from half-forward.

Unlikely to take a backward step.