Coach: Ben Price

Last season: Seventh - six wins, 10 losses

Ins: Dylan Cross (East Warrnambool), Nick Johnstone, Kye Bunworth, Jeremy Ellis (Haywood), Nathan Hunt (South Warrnambool), Blair Oakley (ankle), Matt Lenehan (Heathmere), Paddy Higgins (Mininera),

Outs: Courage Hukatai (East Warrnambool)

Coach's comment: "We have retained our list from last year and added a few more senior players and the next step is to try and win more games." 

Player to watch: Dylan Cross - "Think he has battled away at East and done a fantastic job and now we might be able to free him up."

Our prediction: Eighth - Ben Price is eager to up the pressure at the Cattery and win more games. They have the capability to do so but form is key and new players in Cross and Johnstone are a big boost to an emerging list.

Coach: Mick Phillips

Last season: Eighth - five wins, 11 losses

Ins: Ben Thornton (South Warrnambool), Sam Lee (South Warrnambool), Tom Pyers (Merrivale), Tom Noonan (Koroit), Jack Mccutcheon (Old Collegians), Jordan Hand (Koroit)

Outs: Tim Sheldon, Justin Wallace (North Warrnambool Eagles), Angus Chirnside (Lake Bolac), Jordan Greene (Queensland) Tony Weetra (East Warrnambool)

Coach's comment: "It's a new look side. It's pretty exciting with the youth that's going to be filtered through there. Hopefully they will emerge and we'll be better for it."

Player to watch: Tom Fitzgerald - "Hasn't missed a beat over pre-season. He's ready to take the next step."

Our prediction: 11^th - A new coach and some big departures will see the Dogs drift down the ladder this year. Mick Phillips will be eager to install his system and build on a promising future with an emerging list.

Coach: Danny Chatfield

Last season: 10th - three wins, 13 losses

Ins: James Richards (Sebastopol), Tony Weetra (Dennington), Brad Rees (Russells Creek), Matthew Kenny (Geelong), Courage Hukatai (Allansford).

Outs: Dylan Cross (Allansford).

Coach's comment: "There are going to be lots of teams in the finals mix and there hasn't been a lot of movement so it's about who gels and who can put the four quarters together."

Player to watch: Sammy Grinter - "He is a natural leader and has stepped up over the off-season."

Our prediction: 10^th - Some new faces at Reid Oval could see the Bombers fighting the finals teams but it's hard to see them moving past them just yet. Sustained form a key to them rising any higher this season.

Coach: Ben Walsh

Last season: Third - 12 wins, 4 losses

Ins: Brad Johnson (returning), Mark Clissold, Martin Wynd, Harry O'Sullivan (Terang Mortlake) Nick Bourke (Leopold), Ben Reid (Camperdown), Brodie Edge (Geelong), Joe and George O'Sullivan (returning), Toby Taylor,.

Outs: Sam Harkin (Springbank), Isaac Kenna (Terang Mortlake), Johnno Gleeson (retired)

Coach's comment: "Had a bit of turn over and we have a few new players but I think we will still be competitive. We will be potentially younger and quicker than previous years and hope we will be around the mark again."

Player to watch: Nick Hoare - "Looks like he is ready to take the next step. Played a bit of senior footy and his confidence is growing." 

Our prediction: Second - It has been a very busy first off-season for new Power coach Ben Walsh and with the calibre of personnel he has brought back to the club, expect them to be challenging Nirranda for the league's top prize once again.

HOMECOMING: Midfielder returns with success on his mind

ADDED BOOST: Comeback kid to help Power's plans for glory

RESUPPLY: Power's off-season player recharge hits full swing

Coach: Jason Rowan

Last season: Sixth - Eight wins, eight losses

Ins: Letham Robe (Travel), Josh Keilor (returning), Angus Campbell, Todd McLean (Koroit), Charlie McDonald, Peter Makarona (returning)

Outs: Tate Porter (South Warrnambool)

Coach's comment: "I'm very excited. We're going to be a high-risk, high-reward team this year. We've really put in the hard yards over the pre-season."

Player to watch: Josh Britton - "Had a great year last year. He's going to be a key-position player for us down in the forward six this year." 

Our prediction: Fourth - The Tigers' inclusions combined with the young cubs from last season will drive the club back into September action. An injury-free year from playing-coach Jason Rowan would also be a handy bonus in attack.

Coaches: Shane Threlfall and Shane Quick

Last season: Premiers - 14 wins, two losses

Ins: Will Templeton (Koroit), Jonathon Benallack (Apollo Bay)

Outs: Ethan Dolton (Timboon Demons), Mitch Couch (overseas), Tobias Lane (interstate), Ben Ludeman (moved away)

Coach's comment: "We have been able to keep the list intact and I'd expect us to be in the mix this year again. Keeps you on the ball to know sides are coming after you, so we have to train well to be a good side again."

Players to watch: Will Templeton and Jonathon Benallack - "They are new to the club and add a bit of depth to the midfield." 

Our prediction: Premiers - Hard to go past the Blues going back-to-back. The Shane Threlfall and Shane Quick-led side will be hard to beat again this season. A strong, deep midfield accompanied by a solid defensive unit and powerful forward line will push Nirranda to the top again.

Coach: Nick Sheehan

Last season: Runners-up - 14 wins and two losses

Ins: Mason Crosier (Port Fairy), Ben Turner-Dwyer, Rick Dalton, Connor Barby, Tayne McDonald (Koroit), Hayden Jenkins (Nirranda), Nick Sheehan, Michael Lambevski (foot), Lachie Young (returning)

Outs: Josh Stapleton (Caramut), Justin Lynch (retired), Alex Wallis (moved), Matt Petherick (Russells Creek).

Coach's comment: "It's new for me coming in and not being involved in the (grand final) losses but one thing I've said from the start is it's a fresh start."

Player to watch: Mason Crosier and Sam Thomas - "Mason will be good down back and Sam has had a good pre-season." 

Our prediction: Third - Ah the Warriors. Will it be their year to remember or another year to forget? A new coach, a possibly new system and some handy inclusions could be the magic to get them to the top. It's boom or bust time for the Davidson Oval club.

Coach: Chris Bant

Last season: Wooden spoon - one win, 15 losses

Ins: Sam Melican, Shamus O'Beirne, Brandon Bant, Luke Gavin (returning) Tom White, Connor Hooley (returning), Paddy Mahony (South Warrnambool), Chris Bant (Terang Mortlake)

Outs: Nick Butters, Tim Condon (North Warrnambool Eagles)

Coach's comment: "Obviously wasn't around last season but they have put in on the track and had good numbers and everyone is keen to get going. We are up and about and ready to make a start."

Player to watch: Sam Melican - "He has had a good pre-season and is ready to go."

Our prediction: Ninth - Chris Bant would be eager for his side to rise up the ladder and back towards the top of the league but this year is more about learning and development for the rebuilding Bulldogs. Will be competitive with the new faces in the team.

Coach: Peter Timms

Last season: Ninth - four wins, 12 losses

Ins: Billy Mcphee (returning) Caleb Bidmade, Liam Dwyer, Oliver Westwick, Darcy Wraight, Isaiah and Griffin McLeod (South Rovers) Lukas Essenwanger, Ryan Bunny (Koroit), Matthew Petherick (Old Collegians), Liam Boyle (Dennington), Chris Moutray (Tyrendarra), Caleb Templeton (East Warrnambool), Matthew Williams (Warrnambool)

Outs: Brad Rees (East Warrnambool)

Coach's comment: "Success comes from a strong list and that was my role when they put me in and to sign 15 players is a good start of a three to four-year plan."

Player to watch: Andy McMeel - "He will be good again after he has had a really good pre-season." 

Our prediction: Sixth - A big rise in the first year of Peter Timms' tenure at Mack Oval. The number of inclusions could be a blessing if the healthy competition is there but if it fails the Kangaroos could go south very quickly. Form is the key this season.

Coach: Adam Matheson

Last season: Fifth - 10 wins, six losses

Ins: Aaron Seabrook (Hawkesdale-Macarthur), Matthew Farmer, Eamon Dowd (South Warrnambool), Luke Ryan (Koroit), Ben Fary (South Warrnambool).

Outs: Julian Claridge (Retired), Matt Dennis (travel).

Coach's comment: "We would be disappointed if we miss finals. Not going to see where you sit until you play everyone but we want to make finals and impact them more than we did last year."

Player to watch: Dylan Cox - "He has a lot of potential and could play key-forward or run on ball. He is hard to match up on."

Our prediction: Fifth - The Lions' roar will be louder than ever this season after a disappointing end to their finals campaign in 2018. Adam Matheson has brought in some new faces and competition for spots should heat up at Walter Oval.

Coach: Marcus Hickey

Last season: Fourth - 11 wins, five losses

Ins: Ethan Dalton (Nirranda), Jimmy Faulkner (VAFA), Jack Osborne (long-term ankle) Mik McSween (WAAFL), Jordan Fowler, Oliver Stansfield (juniors), Craig Dower, Christian Francis.

Outs: Sam Newey, Ben Harding (Simpson), Jamie Norton (BFL), Bayley Thompson (Camperdown), Hayden Mitchell (NFL), James Plant.

Coach's comment: "Unfortunately we have lost some highly experienced players, but our aim will still to be highly competitive and pushing for finals again. But at the same time injecting senior experience into a great crop of players aged between 17-19, which is the club's long-term future."

Player to watch: Andrew Hargreaves - "He has returned from Camperdown as assistant coach, and has taken his fitness to the next level." 

Our prediction: Seventh - A new era at Timboon is about to begin but what style Barney (Marcus Hickey) will bring to the Demons is unknown. A host of new faces through the side could see Hickey's side in finals contention once again.

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