AWFA senior women's 2020 season preview: Competition wide open

Coach: Justin Wild and Fiona Smith

Captain: TBC

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: Not in league

Key player: Isabella Godfrey

Young gun: Daisy Tuksar

Gains: Nil

Losses: Nat O'Neil, Nat Formosa

What the coach says: It's an exciting season ahead for Spurs to be back in the senior ladies competition, as a club we enter a full contingent of female teams for 2020. We are so happy to be able to offer top level competition to our ladies and girls who want to play against the best.

What we say: Will roll out the most inexperienced side in the competition, so some inconsistency is to be expected. Hotspurs won all junior cup finals in the girls age groups last season, showing there's plenty of young talent coming through the ranks.

Prediction: 6th

Coach: Tony Cigana

Captain: Abbey Collins, Alannah Seary, Ruby Leslie and Zoie Dalitz

Tip to win: Boomers

2019: 2nd

Key player: Abbey Collins

Young gun: Sophie Cary

Gains: Bec Stanley, Carrie Pittman, Meg Cauduro, Jade McCowan, Sophie Cary, Tiana Kotzur

Losses: Brea Quinlivan, Maree Matthew, Naomi Roberts

What the coach says: While we have a lot of new faces and will take time to gel, the losses have been of quality players and will be very hard to replace. We are going to take some time to settle, but I am positive we will be thereabouts this year.

What we say: Three key omissions in Brea Quinlivan, Maree Matthew and goalkeeper Naomi Roberts will leave some holes, but Sophie Cary is among the most promising young players in the region. Should be a top contender once more.

Prediction: 3rd

Coach: Steve Kusic

Captain: TBC

Tip to win: Albury United

2019: 6th

Key player: Lauren Antonello

Young gun: Sarsha Smith

Gains: Torey Saisanid, Gemma Garland, Kiera Hayes

Losses: Mariah Tischler, Emily Williams

What the coach says: Our team is still in the rebuilding stages, but is in a better position than last year. We have experience coming back into the team and will hopefully become more consistent.

What we say: Adding Torey Saisanid, Gemma Garland and Kiera Hayes back into the fold will be vital for the development of the young players. All three played in the club's 2017 cup final and should help Boomers push up the ladder.

Prediction: 4th

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Coach: Adam Waters

Captain: Maya Davis

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 5th

Key player: Maya Davis

Young gun: Eva Davis

Gains: Chantelle Bihler, Tahlia Hartwig

Losses: Dominique Cole

What the coach says: The girls are training very well and looking to bounce back after last season. They are learning a new structure and developing their game every week. I'm excited to see how they implement that on the pitch in weeks to come.

What we say: Have maintained the bulk of last year's squad and have been able to improve year after year. Will push the likes of Wangaratta, St Pats and Albury United even further in 2020.

Prediction: 5th

Coach: Brett Easton

Captain: Claire Mahoney

Tip to win: Albury United

2019: 1st (cup runners-up)

Key player: Issy Barbaro

Young gun: Alex Freire

Gains: Georgina Cominos, Emma Timmermans, Lauren Easton

Losses: Kate Fruend, Sam McKinnon, Rachael White, Lilly Kennedy

What the coach says: We had a great season last year, winning the league before going down to Wangaratta in the cup final, with what was a very young team. We've had a few (forced) changes in personnel, but I believe our squad is slightly stronger than last season.

What we say: The loss of Kate Fruend can't be understated. Was the unsung hero in defence as Claire Mahoney and Isabella Barbaro did the damage up the other end. However, welcoming Georgina Cominos from Albury City will give them so some more run out of defence. Expect St Pats to be contending at the business end again in 2020.

Prediction: 2nd

Coach: Mel Scott and Amy Fuller

Captain: Caity Rizzo

Tip to win: St Pats

2019: 3rd (cup champions)

Key player: Ruby Foottit

Young gun: Kaitlyn Broady

Gains: Ruby Foottit, Georgia Mahoney, Jemma Mahoney, Sarah Morris

Losses: Bianca Mulqueen, Mia Calder, Chloe Gibson

What the coach says: Looking forward to a great season, we are already bonding so well as a team and our numbers have been amazing at training. Feeling very positive about the season ahead and what challenges we will overcome as a team.

What we say: Losing star striker Bianca Mulqueen, who netted a hat trick in Wangaratta's historic cup triumph, will be tough to cover, but strong additions across the park will ensure the Devils remain a force.

Prediction: 1st