Last year: Premier (16-2)

Gains: Michael Thompson (Albury), Jed Andrew (Culcairn)

Losses: Jamie Paul (Perth)

Prospects: Will start the season as flag favourites after keeping off season loses to a minimum. The Hawks will be aiming for back-to-back flags for the first time since 1983-84. In fact the reigning premier looks stronger on paper with the addition of Michael Thompson and Jed Andrew. Thompson returns to his junior club after an outstanding Ovens and Murray career which included seven flags with Albury and will bolster a defence which was the strongest in the competition last year. The 29-year-old played on all the big forwards in the O&M, so it's hard to see any of the Tallangatta league forwards kicking a bag on the reliable defender. Jed Andrew also returns to his former club and will add another dimension to the Hawks' already classy midfield. If the Hawks can maintain their hunger they should once again take some toppling at the business end of the season.

Coaches comments: “We don’t see ourselves as flag favourites. We respect all our rivals, particularly Thurgoona and Barnawartha. I personally thought there wasn’t much between the top-three sides last year. We rate both of those clubs highly and know they will improve.”

Headline most likely to see: Thompson savours eighth flag and first with junior club

Prediction: Premier

Coach: Peter Cook

Last year: Third (13-3)

Gains: Matt McNamara, Kyle McNamara, Jarrod Williams, Danny DeMarte (Corryong), Daniel Thompson (Ballarat), Reece Corcoran (Wodonga Raiders), Mitch Lord (Billabong Crows)

Losses: Mitch Exton, Ben Kunkel (Benalla), Josh Star (RWW), Jack Baker, Tom Baker, Matt Robinson (Yackandandah)

Prospects: Barnawartha were the hard-luck story of the finals series last year after Peter Cook missed a golden opportunity to snatch an unlikely victory in the dying seconds of the preliminary final. The loss should provide the Tigers with plenty of motivation for this season. Cook will coach for a second successive season with his biggest concern covering the gaping hole up forward left by the departure of clever goalsneak Mitch Exton. Exton topped the Tigers' goalkicking last season with 54 although Cook missed over half the season with injury. Despite tho loss of Exton, the Tigers will boast more depth this season with the addition of the "Corryong Crew" in Matt McNamara, Kyle McNamara and Jarrod Williams. Cook hasn't ruled out Danny DeMarte also playing seniors throughout the season.

Coaches comments: "No disrespect to the other sides but last year's top three remain as the sides to beat. I think it's fair to say there is not too many clubs that have made any significant inroads. I think everyone is still four to five goals behind the top-three. Although we have lost some players, we have gained some players and I think we are a couple of goals ahead of where we were last year."

Headline most likely to see: Cook sinks Dogs in preliminary final with eight goal haul

Prediction: Runner-up

Coach: Brett Doswell

Last year: Runner-up (15-3)

Gains: Brett Doswell (Thurgoona), Jesse Johnston (North Albury), Josh Maher, Brad Thompson (Murray Magpies), Matt Murray (TR-YC), Jarrod Twitt (retirement)

Losses: Daniel Kannenberg (Bullioh) 

Prospects: Thurgoona have raised plenty of eyebrows over the summer after adding pleny of experience to an already ageing list. Co-coaches Jamarl O'Sullivan and Jayden Kotzur have been replaced at the helm by Brett Doswell who is having a second stint in charge after previously coaching Holbrook. Kotzur is set to remain as a player but the future of O'Sullivan remains unclear with the former coach rarely spotted at training since February. Johnston arrives at Thurgoona after stints with the Murray Magpies and North Albury. Although injury-prone, the key forward will provide an imposing target across half-forward when fit and firing and looks to be one of the recruits of the off-season. Doswell and Maher add plenty of class and experience. Although the Bulldogs look certainties to once again play finals, the biggest query if they have the leg speed to match the other genuine finals contenders. 

Coaches comments: “Having an ageing list is not ideal but most of the recruits we have been able to land are good mates and are not chasing big dollars. In my time at Wodonga and Holbrook we have been one of the youngest sides in the competition. But it is something I’m looking forward to in a way because you are playing with guys that are older and are more experienced."

Headline most likely to see: O'Sullivan calls time on his decorated career

Prediction: Third

Coach: Tyson Smith

Last year: Fifth (11-7)

Gains: James Breen (Henty), Paddy O'Brien (Tocumwal), Justin Wickham (Milawa), Brent Lewington (St Paul's), Jake Eisenhauer (Albury), Jarrod Lewin (Dederang)

Losses: Sam Livingstone (Osborne), Tom Johnson, Bob Russell (Wodonga), Andrew Dear (Holbrook), Adam Healy (Cudegwa), Ethan Riddington (Cudgewa)

Prospects: Endured a tumultuous start to the off-season with coach Sam Livingstone and the club parting company and Bob Russell and Tom Johnson returning to Wodonga. The loss of Russell is a stinging blow after he won the best and fairest last year. Johnson's departure also hurts after he finished third. Tyson Smith takes the coaching reins and has landed several recruits but none bigger than James Breen. Breen returns to Tallangatta from Henty after having a season off after breaking his leg on the eve of the finals the previous year. Breen will provide an imposing presence deep inside the 50m and alongside Kaine Parsons form a two-pronged attack.

Coaches comments: "We are aiming to finish in the five again. Obviously Kiewa Sandy-Creek and Thurgoona are a fair way in front of everyone else. But between third and seventh looks fairly even and we will be somewhere around that mark."

Headline most likely to see: Hoppers need percentage boosting win in final round to make five

Prediction: Sixth

Co-coaches: Phil Packer and Ben Dower

Last year: Fifth (11-7)

Gains: Ben Dower (Jindera), Rhyce Preston (Jindera), Frazer O'Connell, Ben Williams, Jackson Crowe, Callum Ryer (Albury) Will Teunon, Mackinlay O'Neill (Wodonga Raiders), Jordan McKenzie (North Albury)

Losses: Kyle Maynard (Avenel), Jackson Ellis (University)

Prospects: Incoming coaches Phil Packer and Ben Dower were keen to recruit former juniors back to the club and have been able to achieve that goal. Packer and Dower replace Mark Dicketts at the helm with Packer a three-time premiership coach with the traditional powerhouse. The Blues will boast a lot more depth this season with over 70 players named in the reserves last season as they tried to plug the gaps. Dower and Preston will add some much needed experience to one of the youngest lists in the competition. Jordan McKenzie, Ben Williams, Jackson Crowe and Will Teunon have all shown promise in the Ovens and Murray and will only benefit as they are exposed to more senior football.

Coaches comments: "We will be disappointed if we don't play finals. Our fate will depend largely on the development of the kids and how they handle the rigours of senior football. We have worked hard on our depth and will have a lot more stability this year. This year there will be a lot more competition for spots which you need to be successful."

Headline most likely to see: Mountain men play finals again

Prediction: Fourth

Coach: Jack Neil

Last year: Sixth (9-9)

Gains: Clay Cambridge-Dillon, Dayle Martin (Albury), Ricky Clarke (Bright), Bren Ingram (Lockhart), Tom McGee (Bendigo)

Losses: Dale Lappin (Geelong and Distict), Will Stefani (Wodonga)

Prospects: The Bombers proved to be the surprise packets last year, narrowly missing a finals berth after having only one won match the previous season. Coach Jack Neil has bolstered the list with a number of signings although the departure of Dale Lappin who finished runner-up in the best and fairest is a significant blow. Dayle Martin and Clay Cambridge-Dillon are former juniors and will add some run and carry around the flanks and wings. While Ricky Clarke is a strongly built midfielder who is expected to go a long way to help covering the loss of Lappin.

Coaches comments: "I would like to think we can play finals. We expect to be a lot more competitive as well against the league heavyweights like Kiewa-Sandy Creek, Thurgoona and Barnawartha."

Headline most likely to see: Jack Neil snares back-to-back Senior Coach of the Year awards

Prediction: Fifth

Co-coaches: Dan Athanitis and Damien Wilson

Last year: Eighth (8-10)

Gains: Manny Hughes, William McCormack (Howlong), Darcy Spinks (Balranald), Bradley Zwiersen (Beechworth), Brendan Morris, Taylor Baker (Corowa-Rutherglen) Jack Holmes (Whorouly)

Losses: John Spencer, Tyson Neander (Brock-Burrum), Seamus Blomley, Chris Oates and Ian Kay (North Wangaratta)

Prospects: The Cats suffered a stinging blow on the eve of the season after John Spencer and Tyson Neander were released from their contracts and joined Brock-Burrum. The pair have been Rutherglen's main avenue to goal for the past two seasons and it's hard to see the Cats making finals without the dangerous duo. Manny Hughes and Will McCormack look the pick of the recruits and will add some pace around the flanks.

Coaches comments: "Our aim is to improve from last year and finish in the top-five. We learnt a bit about ourselves last year and had to reassess a few things and start again."

Headline most likely to see: Hugh beauty! Manny Hughes wins Cats best and fairest

Prediction: Ninth

Coach: Shaun Pritchard

Last year: Eighth (8-10)

Gains: Patrick McCarthy

Losses: Brayden Carey, Dayne Carey, Tyson Carey (Upper), Josh Garland (Hume), Richard Worcester (Upper), Bradley Zwiersen (Rutherglen),

Prospects: Have been one of the hardest hit by departures over the off-season and could struggle to field reserves if the situation doesn't improve. The Bushrangers are also sweating on the availability on inmates from Beechworth prison inmates to bolster numbers with a decision unlikely in the short-term. Coach Shaun Pritchard is fearful for the clubs future and immediate focus is ensuring the club survives.

Coaches comments: "This season is about survival."

Headline most likely to see: Beechworth reserves set to field a 14-man side for the second-half of the season

Prediction: 12^th

Coach: Brent Lillis

Last year: Ninth (4-14)

Gains: Trent Castles (Jindera), Daniel Atwell (Ringwood), Steven Cook (KSC), Hayden Key (Jindera), Jack Baker, Tom Baker, Matt Robinson (Barnawartha), Matt Storey (Border-Walwa)

Losses: Johann Jarratt (Wodonga Raiders), Bryce Rafferty (Lavington) Ethan Roberts (moved interstate)

Prospects: Another potential improver after the Roos were able to lure prolific goalkicker Trent Castles back to the club. The Roos' midfield has also been bolstered by the return of 2016 best and fairest winner, Daniel Atwell. Atwell has spent the past two seasons with Ringwood in the Eastern Football league.

Coaches comments: "Our goal at the start of the season is to win more games than we did last year."

Headline most likely to see: Castles stuck on nervous nineties heading into final round of the season

Prediction: Eighth

Coach: Ricky Whitehead

Last year: 10th (4-14)

Gains: Nick Bracher, Ben Mason, Angus Sinclair, Ashley Van Klaveren (Wodonga Raiders), Jeremy Joiner (Melbourne), Marcus Roberts (Echuca), Jacob Romeril (Murray Magpies)

Losses: Martin White (retirement)

Prospects: Look a likely improver with the Swans adding a lot more depth to their list compared to previous seasons. The Raiders recruits should prove to be handy acquisitions and provide a lot more run and carry from the defensive half.

Coaches comments: "We are hoping to string a few wins together early in the season to help build some confidence and momentum and see where it takes us."

Headline most likely to see: Swans emerge as finals threat after winning opening four matches

Prediction: Seventh

Coaches: Nathan Parker and Kodee Lowe

Last year: 11th (4-14)

Gains: Fletcher Stewart (Geelong and District), John Robinson (Corowa-Ruth)

Losses: , Billy Raggett, Leigh Schulz (Corowa-Rutherglen), Corey Smith, Brendan Lewis, Peter Lewis, Jack Aumont, Peter Miller, (Moyhu), Sam Burdon

Prospects: Kodee Lowe and Nathan Parker replace Sam Burdon and face a baptism of fire during their first year at the helm. Lowe is returning from a knee reconstruction but is a league representative and will be a handy addition in the midfield. While the Lions struggled to land a heap of signings, Joel Barclay (knee), Shannon Schulz (work commitments), Cody Milne (overseas) and Josh Clark (overseas) will add further depth. But it's hard to see the Lions climbing the ladder without several more recruits.

Coaches comments: "I know a lot of clubs have written us off but I would like to think we will surprise a few teams."

Headline most likely to see: Lowe lands Lions' best and fairest

Prediction: 11^th

Co-coaches: Gerard Midson and Jesse Wellington

Last year: Last (0-18)

Gains: Jesse Wellington (Jindera), Tom Wellington (retirement), Matthew Chalmers-Borella (Howlong), Luke Kelly, Daniel Hibberson, Steve O'Callaghan (Federal), Tristan Wright (Albury), Darren Keene (Border-Walwa), Mitchell Horner (Tallangatta), James Salmon (Rutherglen)

Losses: Luke Knight (Culcairn), Simon McLeish

Prospects: Co-coaches Gerard Midson and Jesse Wellington take over one of the toughest gigs in country coaching but have had a promising start. Crucially, the Saints have retained 95 per cent of their list while also enjoying a productive off-season and adding plenty of depth.

Coaches comments: "We just want to improve and are not going to gauge our season on wins and losses."

Headline most likely to see: Wodonga Saints claim first scalp in over 12 months

Prediction: 10^th

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