Rand will be gunning for a remarkable eighth successive flag when CAW Hume kicks off on Saturday. The Pigeons have kept their side together with skipper Bryce Swift expecting the challenges to come thick and fast. The Border Mail's BRETT KOHLHAGEN rates each club's chances.
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BROCKLESBY-BURRUMBUTTOCK
Last season: 10th
Captain: Trent I'Anson
Gains: Jordan and Karl Schilg, Adam I'Anson and Justin Everitt (Brocklesby)
Losses: Nil
Leading run-scorer last season: Trent I'Anson (483)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Trent I'Anson (12)
Prospects: The newly-merged Saints should improve significantly with Brocklesby coming on board. While finals look a longshot, Trent I'Anson will have more options at his disposal and should grab three or four wins.
Prediction: 7 to 10
WALBUNDRIE
Last season: 2nd
Captain: Alex McMaster
Gains: Matt Robertson, Michael Oates, Jacob Read, Andrew Lewis, Jake Miller
Losses: Nathan Morton (Tumbarumba)
Leading run-scorer last season: Nick Morris (403)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Damian Wardius (22)
Prospects: May take some time to fire after a limited pre-season but still possess plenty of firepower with the bat and will be thereabouts. Jake Miller could be a real find after spending time with North Albury.
Prediction: 1 to 3
WALLA
Last season: 4th
Captain: Tom Simmons
Gains: Keiran McCarthy (Tumbarumba)
Losses: Mitch Lauritzen (knee)
Leading run-scorer last season: Tom Simmons (666)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Tom Simmons (25)
Prospects: Walla has added a sharp bowler in Keiran McCarthy to its stocks and don't rule out several more handy inclusions after the Christmas break. The Hoppers have been sharp improvers in recent years and look top-four material.
Prediction: 4 to 6
CULCAIRN
Last season: 6th
Captain: Vince Chaffey
Gains: Daniel Rooke (East Albury), Jackson Lezius (Walla)
Losses: Steve Brand and Brendan Sheather (retired)
Leading run-scorer last season: Steve Brand (561)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Dai Jenkins (14)
Prospects: Losses don't come any bigger than Steve Brand with the star batsman amassing 550-plus runs last season. The Lions will be hoping for a lift across the board with skipper Vince Chaffey sure to be prominent.
Prediction: 7 to 10
HENTY
Last season: 9th
Captain: Greg Schuller
Gains: Daniel Hore-Smith
Losses: Nil
Leading run-scorer last season: Braeden Pantling (295)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Braeden Pantling (22)
Prospects: If Henty can put its full side together on the field, the Swampies will be dangerous. It won't happen on Saturday though with the line-up decimated by unavailability. Daniel Hore-Smith is back from a break and Shannon Terlich is set to play following shoulder surgery. Chris Manns, Grant Gardiner and Mark White have all committed for 2019-20.
Prediction: 4 to 6
LOCKHART
Last season: 7th
A grade captain: Chayte Burkinshaw
Gains: Blake Ryan and Sam Johnson (Wagga)
Losses: Nil
Leading run-scorer last season: Clint Renner (355)
Leading wicket-taker last season: James Mitchell (18)
Prospects: The Demons have topped up last year's side by recruiting all-rounders Blake Ryan and Sam Johnson. Unknown quantity. Narrowly missed fielding a B grade side.
Prediction: 7 to 10
RAND
Last season: 1st
Captain: Bryce Swift
Coach: Brad I'Anson
Gains: Kyle Porta (New City)
Losses: Mitch Thomas (knee), Chris Kreutzberger (retired)
Leading run-scorer last season: Mark Kreutzberger (457)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Nathan I'Anson (19)
Prospects: The perennial heavyweight will be difficult to beat again. Chris Kreutzberger's retirement is a blow but the Pigeons will no doubt be trying to change his mind in coming weeks. Mitch Thomas will miss the season after injuring his knee playing football for North Albury. Can never be written off.
Prediction: 1 to 3
TRYC
Last season: 8th
Captain: Todd Hannam
Gains: Mitch Fennessy
Losses: Ned Mazzochi (Melbourne)
Leading run-scorer last season: Todd Hannam (550)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Todd Hannam (19)
Prospects: Like Henty, TRYC has some genuine top-end talent but player availability will determine how far they progress. Hannam, Ryan Kirkwood, Oscar Willis and Jack Driscoll will be important contributors.
Prediction: 7 to 10
OSBORNE
Last season: 5th
Captain: Nick Perryman
Gains: Nil
Losses: Luke Richardson (Kooringal Colts)
Leading run-scorer last season: Nick Perryman (404)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Ed Perryman (16)
Prospects: Osborne has been dealt a massive blow with Luke Richardson returning to Wagga but the club is well equipped to cover with its wealth of talent.
Prediction: 4 to 6
HOLBROOK
Last season: 3rd
A grade captain: Hamish Mackinlay
Gains: Jamie McCarthy (Jingellic), Jim Grills
Losses: Will Heriot (overseas), Cooper Walsh (overseas), Andrew Mackinlay (Lavington)
Leading run-scorer last season: Hamish Mackinlay (395)
Leading wicket-taker last season: Andrew Mackinlay (23)
Prospects: The Brookers could be slow out of the blocks due to player unavailability. Holbrook has lost some talent but the arrival of Jamie McCarthy and Jim Grills will keep it around the mark.
Prediction: 1 to 3
