The premiership coach cited personal reasons for handing over the position to his assistant Kiale Crowther.

“Bill has stepped aside and we respect that,” club president Greg Hillier said.

“Kiale will step up and we think he’ll do a good job.

“Recruiting has been going well and we’re looking forward to the season starting.”

Cudgewa will kick off its season against Corryong at Corryong on Saturday.

Despite playing no practice matches, Crowther is confident the club is well prepared for round one.

Brothers Jesse, Jake and Josh McInerney, Jeremy Grove, Stephen Harris, Sam Ryan and Josh Vinge head Cudgewa’s signings.

“We’ll have a pretty good side,” he said.

“Everyone is writing us off early because nobody knows who we have got.

“We have been rolling through training and the boys are looking forward to the weekend.

“I don’t know too much about the competition though so I’m still finding my way a bit.”

Crowther, who has spent the past four seasons at Yackandandah, expects Corryong to provide a tough first-up hitout.

The Demons pushed Federal to nine points in the season opener on March 27.

“They look like they have come a little way,” he said.

“It’s hard to know how the sides will shape up.”

Border-Walwa take on Federal at Walwa.

The Magpies will be out to better last year’s three wins with Thurgoona recruit Bryden Power expected to play an important role.

“It’s going to be a young side with a fair few new faces out there,” coach Craig Bosley said.

“Hopefully we can build on last year.”

Federal suffered a blow in its season opener against Corryong when gun forward Darren Bradshaw injured himself.

Tumbarumba do battle with Bullioh at Tumbarumba.

The Roos have kept their list together from last year’s preliminary final loss to Cudgewa and added several handy recruits.

Tom Bennett has returned to the region and will bolster the midfield.

Tumbarumba defeated Dubbo in their annual pre-season match to claim the Isaac Cornell Memorial Cup.

“We have managed to retain most of last year’s side and added a few to the midfield to give us a bit more depth,” co-coach Dean Spencer said.

“I think the side has come together pretty well, but you never really know.

“Everyone is really guessing at this stage.

“We’re looking forward to it.”

Spencer will co-coach Tumbarumba with Ben Carey for the second successive season.