Coach: Anthony Maw

Last year: Fourth

Gains: James MacKillop (Queensland).

Losses: Miron Andronicos and Stuart Cox (Melbourne), Kieran Hill and Pat Ireland (Wollongong), Wes Clarke (Boomers), Liam Carey (TCW).

Prospects: It wasn’t a pleasant off-season for debut coach Maw with the departure of half his starting XI, most notably AWFA star Miron Andronicos. With that drain on talent it’s impossible to see the Blues replicating last year’s top-four finish and even a finals appearance appears to be a challenge.

Player to watch: Young midfielder Chris Nikitas was promoted to the first XI last year but spent most of the year out of the country. An exciting and clever playmaker who will be given the opportunity to make centre-midfield his own with the departure of Andronicos.

Prediction: Ninth

ALBURY HOTSPURS

Coach: Ian Belgre

Last year: Seventh

Gains: Nil

Losses: Darrel Mills (retired), Michael Foster (NSW), Javi Martinez (St Patrick’s).

Prospects: Lost some terrific experience in Mills and Martinez, who didn’t play the second half of the season, but enjoyed an otherwise quiet off-season. Still got a quality nucleus consisting of Star Player Ryan Giles, Luke Briggs and veteran Robert Tuksar and up-and-coming types like Ben Porter and David Robin which should ensure the Spurs remain thereabouts.

Player to watch: James Eggleston hasn’t received the attention of Porter and Robin but Spurs coaches and supporters are hoping the midfielder can become a key playmaker this year. Skilful and very smart, Eggleston is a reliable player who will be looking to add some X-factor to his game.

Prediction: Seventh

ALBURY UNITED

Coach: Scott Kidd

Last year: League champions

Gains: Chris Forrest, Zac Muller, Eliott Jones (time off), Jesper Christensen (Denmark)

Losses: Ryan Luty (Uni), Sam Plunkett (time off), Brendan O’Connell (Uni), Mark Scott (Uni), Sam Mason (boxing), Sam Smith (time off), Clint Bihler (time off), Tom Barnett (Uni), Keegan McArdle (TCW), Tom Walker (Injury), Dan Poynter (time off)

Prospects: Have lost a lot of depth which is so important in a league campaign but the return of some experienced players has softened the blow. Chasing a record fourth consecutive league title, the Greens will not lack motivation and talk of them slipping significantly in 2010 may seem to have been somewhat misguided with a solid display in winning last week’s Campagna Cup minus some first-grade stars. Missed out on some off-season recruits but still look solid and hard to beat.

Player to watch: Simon Flower. The tall striker has had a massive preseason and will have gained a lot of confidence in establishing himself in the first grade at United last season. Good in the air and quick, Flower presents a handfull for any defender and looks likely to form a profitable partnership with a stronger and fitter Caleb Martin.

Prediction: Champion

BOOMERS FC

Coach: Steve Hayes, Wayne Fraser, Danny Antonello

Last year: Runner-up

Gains: Wes Clark (Albury City)

Losses: Dustin Patten and Kevin Dormer (Queensland), Ryan McKissack (Germany), Ginda Soydara, Bryn Barnes-Webb (Bendigo)

Prospects: A new name and new-look line-up. The Boomers have lost plenty of class across the pitch with the talented Wes Clark the only addition. Hard to draw a line through the 2009 cup winners as they have stuck to their usual low-key preseason and avoided practice matches, but with guns like Andrew Grove, Sam Graetz, Pieter Noordewier and Decha Saisanid still in attack, expect the Boomers to again prove a major handful.

Player to watch: Pieter Noordewier was the Boomers’ saviour last year when he scored the golden goal that won them the 2009 cup. It was a big end to a big season for the 16-year-old and with confidence from those heroics and another preseason under his belt, the sky is the limit for the attacking dynamo in 2010.

Prediction: Third

LAVINGTON PANTHERS

Coach: Brett McLennan

Last year: 10th

Gains: Josh Fluss (Melbourne Knights), Craig Brokeman (year off).

Losses: Matt Makin (Queensland), Luke Symonds (England), Gary O’Laughlin (Ireland).

Prospects: Could be the big improver. Vaskovic seems to have covered all bases in his recruiting: experience, youth, speed and even some internationals to keep opposition coaches guessing. The departure of the colourful Gary O’Laughlin is a blow in attack but he didn’t play a lot last year and there’s plenty of exciting young talent to step into the void.

Player to watch: Tim Crilley’s name might not shine out among an impressive list of additions but the teenage midfielder has certainly caught the attention of the Patties coaches. With his fearless play and swag of tricks, Crilley has already become a popular figure at Alexandra Park and Vaskovic expects big things from the youngster.

Prediction: Sixth

TWIN CITY WANDERERS

Coaches: David Afonso and Peter Trevain

Last year: Fifth

Gains: Liam Carey (Albury City), Corey Hill and Braden Luken (army), Jamie Block (Sydney), Keagan McKardle (Albury United).

Losses: Josh Taylor (work commitments)

Prospects: Under the guidance of controversial coach Pedro Afonso, the Wanderers have developed into a cup powerhouse for the past two years, winning the silverware in 2008 and losing the grand final to Boomers last year. TCW’s championship seasons, however, have been less emphatic, but all appears set to change in 2010. Liam Carey’s addition is a massive boon and army recruit Corey Hill is a quality goalkeeper.

Player to watch: Carey was a star in his own right at Albury City but Wanderers officials believe the attacking midfielder can take his game to a new level in 2010. Has been the most impressive trainer during the preseason and seems determined to make the most of his switch.

Prediction: Fourth

WANGARATTA

Coach: Jack Molinaro

Last year: Ninth

Gains: Kyle Simpson (Aus. rules), Jessi Delahey (Benalla).

Losses: Ben Addison (year-off), Nick Frawley (Sydney).

Prospects: With the likelihood of several veterans taking a step back this year, Wangaratta looks set to blood its youngsters. Those young players coming through will be bigger and stronger this year, but expect the rebuilding Wangaratta to remain steady this year.

Player to watch: Jarrod McKeller, 16, has turned heads with an impressive preseason. The highly-skilled youngster broke into the senior side last year but is ready to take control of the defensive-midfield role in 2010.

Prediction: 10th

WODONGA DIAMONDS

Coach: Craig Cartwright

Last year: Third

Gains: Mick Morley and Peter Madison (time off)

Losses: Alex Matthews (university)

Prospects: Diamonds were the most improved side of 2009, jumping from ninth to third. Not a lot has changed during the off-season except the development of some youngsters such as Mason Nhansana, Steve Cigana and Adam Waters. Throw in the likes of captain Brett Delphin, gun keeper Tim Rickman and the possible mid-year return of Daniel Millynn (knee).

Player to watch: Herzina has long been a young gun on the rise but Diamonds supporters will be hoping 2010 is the year the striker graduates to the top echelon of AWFA stars. Has grown in stature at La Trobe and is a more mature player.

Prediction: Fifth

WODONGA PANTHERS

Coach: Phil Bassman

Last year: Last

Gains: Ben De Kruiff (year off), Alex Seabrook (army), Daniel Thomas (army).

Losses: Royston Bassman (university), Liam Calderwood (work commitments), Steve McNabb.

Prospects: Added some new faces who promise to add toughness but also lost some class and experience. The young Panthers are a year wiser, stronger and fitter and take confidence from a positive end to last season when the club recorded its first senior win for more than a year. But is it enough to get off the bottom of the table? Time will tell.

Player to watch: Quick and dogged, Chris Ryan was promoted to the Panthers senior line-up last year and played a style of game belying his inexperience. Could push further into the centre this season as Bassman opts for a more attacking game plan.

Prediction: Last