Having now returned to Albury after a stint studying in Melbourne, Duck will make his long-awaited return to the pool this weekend.

While he's taken a step back from the sport in recent years, he's kept up his training in the water to complete a half ironman last summer.

"I enjoyed it, but I don't think I have the same love for triathlons as I do for water polo," he said.

"I've managed to maintain my swimming fitness, although I think match fitness is something I'm lacking just because I haven't played in close to four years.

"Little things like wrestling, shooting and sprinting in between, you can't really get unless you're playing.

"It's going to be exciting getting back into the pool."

While the Tigers' core group remains the same as when he was last at the club, Duck is pleased to see some of the juniors he once coached coming up through the ranks.

Youngsters Sam O'Brien, Nathan Johannis and Zac Williams have all made the step up into A and B-grade this season.

"I coached them when they were about 12-years-old and now they're 18 or 19 and they've got the potential to be really good players," he said.

"It's pretty exciting to see them come into their own."

The A-grade men's side will be led by coach and club president Jimmy Scannell, while Lucy McInnes and Cat Pratt are teaming up to lead the women in the A-grade competition.

Duck praised Scannell for his long-time service at the club.

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"The amount of time and effort that he puts into Albury Water Polo Club is exceptional," he said.

With Northside taking out the men's flag last season, Duck believes the reigning premiers are the team to beat.

"I think they're probably the benchmark for the competition, they've got a lot of really talented young players and some guys in Australian squads," he said.

Among the promising Stingrays in Elih Mutsch, who was named in Water Polo Australia's 'Launch to LA' program.

"He's clearly got natural talent, but at the same time he works harder than anyone else," Duck said.

"He's going to be a very exciting player to watch, as will his older brother Tyson."

Round one of the Ovens and Murray Water Polo Association's A-grade men's season will see Albury Tigers take on the Sharks, while the Pool Pirates will meet Northside.

In the A-grade women's competition, Sharks meet the Pool pirates in the decider rematch, while Tigers take on Northside/Wodonga.

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