Coach: Ricky Piltz

Captain: David Samiec

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 4th

Key man: Thorne Maw

Young gun: Noah Sredojevic

Gains: Thorne Maw (Blacktown Spartans), Lachlan James (Murray United), Seb Berkhout, Sajan Majhi (Albury United), Jake Cronin (Melrose)

Losses: Tylar Young (Frankston VFL), Isaac Read (Port Melbourne Sharks), Nelson Burns (Wodonga Diamonds)

What the coach says: With the fallout from Murray United it is clear that some clubs have benefited more than others, Wangaratta and Boomers especially. I believe we can match it with anyone on the day, but injuries and squad depth will play an important role this year.

What we say: One of four teams with a new coach at the helm, City has two key outs at either end of the park in Tylar Young and Isaac Read, but a crucial addition to the midfield with the return of Thorne Maw. Should still play finals.

Prediction: 6th

Coach: Matt Townsend

Captain: Dave Robin

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 9th

Key man: Dave Robin

Young gun: Kristian Shipard

Gains: Patrick Sibomana (Myrtleford), Will Haberfield (Murray United), Connor O'Keefe, Jaque Ndume, Mitch Aitken, Janvier Kashindi, James Eggleston, Dave Robin, Sam Thorman

Losses: Luke Dahl (Geelong), Will Clifton

What the coach says: We have had a great off-season with recruitment. Four Hotspurs junior players returning to the club is a great sign of the culture we are building and on the back of that we are pushing ourselves for a finals position.

What we say: Have had their most active off-season in some time and look poised to return to finals after missing out by a point last year. The loss of captain Luke Dahl has been balanced out by a number of midfield and attacking inclusions.

Prediction: 7th

Coach: Steve McLennan

Captain: Caleb Martin

Tip to win: Albury United

2019: 3rd

Key man: Gauthier Robin

Young gun: Thomas Romero

Gains: Thomas Romero (Wangaratta), Aidan Rees, Ben Hughes, Myles Carey (Murray United)

Losses: Maxime Spazzini (France), Sajan Majhi (Albury City), Harris Lee

What the coach says: The inclusion of Thomas Romero, Aidan Rees, Ben Hughes and Myles Carey is very important to the playing group and will give us a lot more creativity on the pitch. We look forward to our first three games as it will show us where we are and what we need to work on.

What we say: Have added plenty of firepower with Thomas Romero and Aidan Rees up top. Were right in the hunt for the league until late in the peace last year and there's no reason why they shouldn't be again.

Prediction: 3rd

Coach: Andrew Grove

Captain: Nick Brown

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 5th

Key man: Melkie Woldemichael

Young gun: Ben Smith

Gains: Melkie Woldemichael, Freddy Myers, Ben Smith, Josh Perry, Stefan Bukvic (Murray United)

Losses: Dylan Nhansana, Jason Colombera, Dylan Gavel (Wodonga Diamonds), Dustin Patten (retired), Sam Graetz (injured), Shunsuke Kadono (Japan)

What the coach says: A youthful and talented injection to the squad in the off-season has helped to cover some of the losses we've suffered. It may take time to develop as a team, but we feel we can challenge the top teams again this season.

What we say: One of the biggest beneficiaries of Murray United's withdrawal from senior competition, Boomers will have a huge say on the 2020 season. Came agonisingly close to toppling Wangaratta in last year's cup semi-final and would be disappointed if they don't at least go one better with the quality signings they've landed.

Prediction: 2nd

Coach: Bill Puckett

Captain: Marius Williams

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 6th

Key man: Stefan Milidrag

Young gun: Jordan Nankiville, Will Seabrook, Cooper Sorrenti

Gains: Stefan Milidrag (Canada), Raul Pahina (Myrtleford), Aaron Feldtmann (injury)

Losses: Mitchell Speechley-Price (England), Shaun Willis (Queensland)

What the coach says: Off the back of a strong finish to the season in 2019, we hope to hit the ground running in 2020. We have had a good pre-season with the same young faces another year older and stronger. We're hopeful of improving on last year's sixth place finish and go one step further in finals.

What we say: Losing one of the most influential players in the competition in Mitchell Speechley-Price is tough for Cobram, but they've essentially found a like for like in Canadian Stefan Milidrag. Signing Raul Pahina is an unexpected bonus and should see them improve.

Prediction: 5th

Coach: Sam Brosolo

Captain: Adam Waters

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 8th

Key man: Adam Waters

Young gun: Seb Dalitz

Gains: Seb Dailtz (Murray United), Shane Ellwood, Josh O'Brien, Chris Ryan, Ryan Lieschke

Losses: Bailey Dexter (Twin City), Jack Sherwill, Jesse Colston, Luke Behrends, Ben Barlow

What the coach says: With the addition of a few new and returning faces and a whole year's worth of experience for the team under the belt, I'm excited to see what we can achieve.

What we say: Challenging year ahead for the competition's youngest coach Sam Brosolo. The biggest loss for the club is Star Goalkeeper Jack Sherwill, who has relocated to Melbourne, however a host of experience returning softens the blow. Will be competing with the likes of Albury Hotspurs and Wodonga Diamonds for the final spots in the top eight.

Prediction: 9th

ALSO IN SPORT:

Coach: Matt Park and Jayden Vescio

Captain: Brenton Cook

Tip to win: Myrtleford

2019: 2nd (cup runners-up)

Key man: Luc Doherty

Young gun: George Hamilton

Gains: Azia Feltrin, Fletcher Caponecchia, Jack Milford, George Hamilton, James Pursell (Murray United), Nagus Henry, Mohammad Abbas (Wodonga Diamonds)

Losses: Raul Pahina (Cobram), Patrick Sibomana (Albury Hotspurs), Sam Morgan, Remell Davis

What the coach says: The boys have had a bit of extra time off this summer and come back with some fresh enthusiasm. A few familiar, but still young faces around the squad. Should be a tough league but we're setting our sights high as always.

What we say: Azia Feltrin is committed for the season following Murray United's exit from NPL competition, while fellow former juniors Fletcher Caponecchia and Jack Milford will have an impact later in the campaign. Still have an experienced core of players which should see them around the mark once again.

Prediction: 4th

Coach: Javi Martinez

Captain: Ben White

Tip to win: Boomers

2019: 11th

Key man: Bryce Anderson

Young gun: Ben White

Gains: Michael Morley (Wodonga Diamonds), Ben Jones

Losses: McKinley Page (Wodonga Diamonds)

What the coach says: We're working hard to develop our players into more consistent senior players and in turn make our team more competitive on the park to ensure we challenge our opposition every week.

What we say: Will take some time for the group to come together under new coach Javi Martinez, but St Pats' main aim is to shake the tag of easy beats. Appointing teenager Ben White as captain is a bold move, but it shows the direction the club is looking to head.

Prediction: 11th

Coach: Shaun Wilhelm

Captain: Jayson Ferguson

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 7th

Key man: Jayson Ferguson

Young gun: Jarrod Anderson

Gains: Bailey Dexter (Melrose), Jarrod Anderson (St Pats), Hamid Subedi, Ash Benfield

Losses: Rohan Pearce, Caleb Matchan, Jack Kirk, Aaron Williams, Jarrod Murphy, Jack Godfrey

What the coach says: We're looking at blooding a lot of youth this year. Not playing at home this year (due to upgrades at Kelly Park) could hamper the style we like to play.

What we say: The Wanderers have lost a stack of quality and experience. Sides around them on the ladder last year have recruited well which could see Twin City slide out of the finals mix.

Prediction: 10th

Coach: Daniel Vasilevski

Captain: Nikola Bukvic

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 1st (cup champions)

Key man: Mason Nhansana

Young gun: Jordan Hore

Gains: Zac Walker, Ryan Luty, Adam Jordan, Jordan Hore (Murray United), Ellis Williamson, Jack Oldham (England)

Losses: Thomas Romero (Albury United), Thomas Frawley, Riley Hamilton, Andrew Barisic, Brendan Barton

What the coach says: We have a burning desire to go back to back, the motivation is certainly there and we have the personnel to do it.

What we say: Rightly favourites after signing quality recruits from Murray United and abroad. Losing strikers Andrew Barisic and Thomas Romero shouldn't be a drama after securing Murray's leading scorer Zac Walker early in the off-season.

Prediction: 1st

Coach: Daniel Griffin

Captain: Dylan Nhansana

Tip to win: Wangaratta

2019: 10th

Key man: Dylan Nhansana

Young gun: Rhyce Hore

Gains: Dylan Nhansana, Jason Colombera, Dylan Gavel (Boomers), Nelson Burns (Albury City), McKinley Page (St Pats), Rhyce Hore (Murray United), Dylan Mountain, Dan Milynn, Jedd Gvozdenovic.

Losses: Nagus Henry (Myrtleford), Michael Morley (St Pats)

What the coach says: Having Daniel Lucas, Dan Millynn and Stephen Currie as part of the coaching team has brought a wealth of experience and passion to what we are trying to do. I think we are going to improve and the players we've recruited will provide us with much more depth than 2019.

What we say: Should make major inroads with experience returning to the playing and coaching ranks. A strong chance to break their four-year finals drought.

Prediction: 8th