Tallangatta, Kiewa-Sandy Creek, Barnawartha and Thurgoona all genuine flag contenders

2019: Third (12-5-1)

Gains: Nicholas Beattie, Joshua Hicks, Chris Lewis, Harry Baxter (Wodonga), Dillon Blaszczyk (Sunshine Coast), Jordyn Croucher (Wodonga Raiders), Tristan Mann, Jack McDonald, Nick Carney (North Albury)

Losses: Tim Darcy (Jindera), Guy Telford (retirement), Ben Murphy (workplace accident), Jacob Murphy, Fletcher Booth (Wodonga), William Webb (Wodonga Raiders)

Prospects: The Hawks have played in two of the past three grand finals and once again appear to be a genuine flag threat. The addition of Wodonga trio Nick Beattie, Josh Hicks and Chris Lewis will inject further class into the line-up already boasting proven performers in Michael Thompson, Jack Di Mizio and Jake Hicks. The biggest knock on the Hawks' flag credentials is the lack of a recognised ruckman after the departure of Tim Darcy. The loss of Ben Murphy is another stinging blow with the solidly built midfielder providing plenty of grunt around the stoppages. Recent history says the Hawks always take a lot of stopping and once again they look destined to progress deep into September.

Coaches comments: After 12 months off, it's just exciting to be back playing football. We feel we have got a talented list and looking forward to what we can achieve this season.

Prediction: Runner-up

Co-coaches: Kade Brown and Dan Cleary

2019: Premier (16-2)

Gains: Luke Bennie (RWW), Ryan Murray (Deniliquin), Matt Howard (CDHBU), Joel Felmingham, Mitch Reilly (Brock-Burrum), Riley Kerr, Carl Dunstan (Billabong Crows), Rory Feltwell (North Albury), Rory Muggivan (returning)

Losses: Sam Cross (Corryong), Luke Gerecke, Jake Bruce, Aydan Brown, Mark Haydon, Lucas Mellier, Charlie Williams (RWW), Josh Maher, Matt Fowler, Jamarl O'Sullivan, Matt Murray (retired)

Prospects: The Bulldogs are set to start a new era under co-coaches Kade Brown and Dan Cleary. After winning three of the past four flags, the Bulldogs have been rocked by departures and retirements and have lost more than half of their most recent premiership side. And while rival clubs may be quick to dance on the Bulldogs' grave, their inevitable slide may not be as dramatic as some may think. Brown and Cleary have been able to attract their fair share of recruits and will be looking to promote the kids and it will be their development that largely determines whether the Bulldogs can remain a finals force. But with so many rival clubs recruiting well, the Bulldogs could miss finals for the first time since 2008.

Coaches comments: Internally we have set ourselves high expectations and have been putting in the hard work on the training track. We will have up to ten new faces in the side for the opening round. So we will start the year as a bit on an unknown which is exciting.

Prediction: Fourth

Co-coaches: Danny De Marte and Tom Anson

2019: Runner-up (14-3-1)

Gains: Mitch Exton, Ben Kunkel (Benalla), Jordan Hansted (Glenrowan), Jake Croucher (KSC), Ben Jones (Federal), Jack Robinson (Wodonga), Ryan Watson (Pyramid Hill), Matt Campbell (Melbourne), Josh Star (RWW)

Losses: Matt McLinden (NTFL), Matt McNamara (Corryong), Kyle McNamara (retired), Seamus Quinn (Henty), Matt Ladgrove (North Wang), Ryan Lempa (Geelong), Braiden Young (Chiltern), Braiden Beas.

Prospects: After making the grand final in 2019 the Tigers two biggest losses have been Matt McLinden and Seamus Quinn which will severely deplete their reliable defence. But with the key signings of Mitch Exton, Ben Kunkel and Jordan Hansted the Tigers will boast an even stronger list this season. Peter Cook steps down as coach which could actually prove to be a blessing in disguise. Cook is a proven match-winner when fit and firing and could have a big say in how far the Tigers progress in September after struggling to find his best form in 2019 after being hampered by injury and the burden of coaching. You can be sure that hunger won't be an issue at Tigerland and with an ounce of luck they can win their first flag since 2013.

Coaches comments: We feel the premiership window remains open but we have to make the most of the opportunity.

Prediction: Third

Coach: Tyson Smith

2019: Fifth (10-7-1)

Gains: Jack and Bob Russell, Khyle Goodman, Joel O'Reilly, Ben Hollands (Wodonga), Sam Maher (retirement), Ethan Riddington (Cudgewa), Lachie Paton (Brighton), Stuart Hunter (Osborne), Ben Ryan (Barooga), Adam Healy (Cudgewa)

Losses: Hamish O'Brien (Murray Bushrangers), Bailey McKimmie (Redan)

Prospects: Were a dangerous proposition in 2019 when at full-strength highlighted by victories against both grand finalists in Thurgoona and Barnawartha. Coach Tyson Smith has had a productive break with the Hoppers adding a lot more depth with Jack and Bob Russell key signings. Both Ben Hollands and Sam Maher have been lured out of retirement and it will be interesting to see what impact the pair can have. Injuries to key forwards James Breen and Kaine Parsons before the finals robbed the Hoppers of going deep into September last year. They look primed and hungry to make amends.

Coaches comments: We have done a stack of work on the track since 2019 and I'm really excited to see what we can achieve this season.

Prediction: Premiers

Coach: Luke Brookes

2019: Fourth (15-3)

Gains: Brad Hibberson (Albury), Bodie Hibberson (Warrnambool), Rory Baines (Beechworth), Sean Curtis (WRFL), Tristan Radley (Tasmania), Kyle Magee (Wodonga), Braiden Young (Barnawartha)

Losses: Ricky Whitehead (Kalgoorlie City), Marcus Roberts, Luke Bokic (Culcairn), Jacob Romeril (DMB)

Prospects: Proved to be last season's surprise packets after climbing from 10th to second on the ladder before suffering a straight sets finals exit. The Swans' major concern is covering the gaping hole left by the departure of best and fairest winner Ricky Whitehead alongside midfielders Marcus Roberts and Jacob Romeril. The Swans also don't have the luxury of as friendly a draw as in 2019.

Coaches comments: Our aim is to finish top three and give ourselves the best hope of progressing deep into September. A lot of people are saying 'no Whitehead, no Chiltern' but we will be a lot less predictable going forward this year with a different game plan.

Prediction: Sixth

Coach: Damien Jones

2019: Tenth (5-12-1)

Gains: Damien Jones (Wodonga), Matt Lee (Howlong), Elliott Powell (Albury), Jacob Romeril (Chiltern), Zeth Ward (Wodonga Raiders), Sam Mirtschin (KSC), Michael Sims (Bullioh), Josh Vinge (season off), Tom Blancad (Melbourne), Adam Schupina, Sam Creamer (returning)

Losses: Ricky Clarke (Yackandandah), Liam Hood (Myrtleford), Dale Martin (Albury), Brent Ohlin (Wodonga Raiders)

Prospects: Damien Jones returns to his former club as coach and has had an immediate impact with the Bombers adding a lot more depth to their list. There has been no bigger recruit in the competition than Elliott Powell who returns to his junior club. The triple Albury premiership player is in the prime of his career and favourite for the Barton medal if he can stay injury free. The Bombers are eyeing a top-five finish and rightly so.

Coaches comments: Finals are firmly on the radar and I would like to think we have closed the gap on the top-five from 2019.

Prediction: Seventh

Coach: Kodee Lowe

2019: Twelfth (1-17)

Gains: Lincoln Ash, Jacob Beveridge, Deaken Clancy, Braden McLean, Alex Wallis, Matt Dutton, Brian Harris, Dean Ewing (Corowa-Ruth), Brody Fitzpatrick (Greta), Gavin Cathie (Essendon VFL), Matt McLaughlin (Nth Wang), Brock Plas (Murray Magpies), Cody Turner (returning), Cooper Bennett (Rennie), James Heagney (Brock-Burrum), Brody and Jacob Bartlett (Moyhu)

Losses: Cody Milne, Josh Clark (Palm Beach Currumbin), Ethan Sterland, Luke Dutton, David Garcia (CDHBU), Jesse Johnston (Corowa-Rutherglen)

Prospects: Kodee Lowe is set to coach the Lions outright this year after co-coach Nathan Parker stepped down over the off-season. Lowe has been able to add plenty of depth to the list and it would be a major surprise if the Lions didn't pinch a few more wins.

Coaches comments: Our aim is to be a lot more competitive and consistent than 2019 and start making inroads up the ladder.

Prediction: 10^th

Coach: Jackson Heagney-Steart

2019: Sixth (8-9-1)

Gains: Jackson Heagney-Steart (Wodonga), Sam Huxtable (Wodonga Saints), Guy Pendergast, Nathan Reynoldson, Joe Hodgkin, Alex Beggs (returning), Aidan Gibbs, Simon Hillier (Henty), Brendan and Luke Hodgkin (Wodonga Raiders) Jordan Peters, Drew Cameron (injury), Caleb Reid (Albury)

Losses: Ben Dower, Rhys Preston (Jindera), Harry Moxey (Wodonga Raiders), Harrison Nicholls (Federal)

Prospects: The Mountain Men remained competitive in 2019 and signing Jackson Heagney-Steart as coach is a coup. Luke Hodgkin will add some class to the midfield while Drew Cameron should provide a reliable target deep in attack after undergoing a knee reconstruction. Mitta has always been a proud club and with more depth than previous seasons can challenge for a finals berth.

Coaches comments: We just want improvement and consistency and see where that takes us.

Prediction: Fifth

Co-coaches: Zack Pleming

Last year: Eleventh (2-15-1)

Gains: Rory Doolan (Border-Walwa), Joshua Latter (Tracy Village), Will Simpson (Bullioh), Callan Elvin (Tallangatta), Josh Fagan, James Berto, Trae Mack (returning), Tom Rowney (Beechworth), Harrison Witt (Wodonga Raiders), Joel Montgomery (Corowa-Ruth), Justin Cooksey (Cudgewa), Blayke St John (Geelong), Bailey St John (Wodonga), Tim Allan (Milawa)

Losses: Jesse Wellington (North Albury), Andrew van Zanten (Howlong), Hayden Cook (Federal), Hayden Hamilton (Culcairn), Lachlan Baldock (Yackandandah), Sam Huxtable (Mitta United)

Prospects: Newly appointed coach Zack Pleming has been able to improve the Saints' list. The bad news for Saints' supporters is that most rival clubs have been equally productive on the recruiting front during the off-season. Pleming will be hoping the Saints can stay relatively injury-free or they could be in for another bleak season.

Coaches comments: We are fully aware there is a persona throughout the competition that we are the league whipping boys. But we will surprise more than a few sides this season and are capable of pushing for a finals berth.

Prediction: 12th

Coach: Darren Holmes

Last year: Eighth (7-11)

Gains: Ben McIntosh and Nick Houston (Albury), David Price (Nagambie), John Walker (Picola league), Ricky Clarke (DMB), Chad Martin (Bright), Casey George (Wodonga), Lachie Baldock (Wodonga Saints), Johann Jarratt (Wodonga Raiders), Jack King (Melbourne), Josh Garland (Howlong), Mason Bayliss

Losses: Danny Atwell (Melbourne), Hayden Key (retired), Matthew Spargo (Melbourne)

Prospects: The Roos had solid pre-season hit-outs against Brock-Burrum and Whorouly with Johann Jarratt and Ben McIntosh set to add more run after a stint in the Ovens and Murray. Thurgoona premiership player David Price's inclusion also can't be underestimated.

Coaches comments: "Our simple aim is to be better than we were in 2019," coach Darren Holmes said.

Prediction: Eighth

Coach: Shaun Baxter

2019: Ninth (7-11)

Gains: Brenton Surrey (injury), Dom Smith, Nathan Faulkner, Skip Pieper, Jordan Eaton, Lochy Eaton, Ed Dunstan, Connor Stone, Jack Ryan

Losses: Jay Dale, Jack Reiter, Rory Baines, Roy Dunnet, Thomas Rowney

Prospects: Beechworth won five of its last seven matches to finish 2019 and Shaun Baxter arrives as a coach who has completed The Next Coach Program, the AFL's highest level coaching program. Baxter is big on development and expect the Bushrangers to improve as the season progresses.

Coaches comments: We played three practice matches over the pre-season and each time the group improved. As a coach you can't ask for much more than that.

Prediction: Ninth

Coach: Steve Owen

Last year: Seventh (8-10)

Gains: Jake Meyer, Sam Bowers, Bennett Thomas (returning), Adam Enever (Wangaratta), Jim Hanrahan (Cairns), Jack Andison, Jackson Wright

Losses: Damien and Cameron Wilson (Cor-Ruth), Harrison Cowie, Josh Warren (North Wang), Jed Griffin (Osborne), Manny Hughes, William McCormack (Howlong), Jake Turton (Qld), Todd McMamara (Howlong)

Prospects: Rutherglen proved competitive in 2019 but look to be on the slide after their departures with none bigger than Damien Wilson. Coach Steve Owen looks destined to spend the season rebuilding and developing the Cats' junior talent.

Coaches comments: Our aim is to remain as competitive as we can. There has been some promising signs over the pre-season in regards to the players adapting to the game plan. We have got some talented young players that we are genuinely excited about and are set for a big season.

Prediction: 11th