The Hampden league is lucky enough to be in such a position.

It's a luxury not afforded to many of its country-based rivals who are afflicted with regular blowouts and a massive discrepancy between their best and worst teams.

Koroit is the pace-setter in the Hampden league but its rivals are not far behind.

It's for this reason picking a final ladder becomes a difficult task.

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Really, it's just a guessing game.

Some predictions speak for themselves while others raise eyebrows.

Every season there is a bolter and a slider.

This time last year I predicted Camperdown would endure a long, tough season.

The Magpies went on to make the grand final.

It was a spectacular rise and captured neutral fans' attention.

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But can Camperdown back it up in 2019? 

It still boasts some top-end talent - think defensive duo Jack Williams and Jason Robinson - but has lost quality out of its midfield.

Can the Pies cover the voids left by Phil Carse, Cam Spence, Sam Cunnington and Jesse Gallichan?

And who will step up in Nick Bateman's place in attack?

This made it hard to pick them in the top-five. But I have, in fifth, just ahead of South Warrnambool.

They deserve it based on last season but have a fight on their hands.

It's hard to fit seven or eight sides, such is the quality of the competition, into five.

Something had to give. I have picked reigning premier Koroit and Port Fairy to finish top two with North Warrnambool Eagles to be this year's bolter and finish third.

Warrnambool and Camperdown round out my top five.

The Blues have brought in NEAFL goal-kicker Darren Ewing to ease the burden on Sam Cowling in attack.

This one-two punch could prove a dangerous asset. Throw in Travis Graham as a potential addition too and things could get interesting.

South Warrnambool lost two prime ball winners in James Hussey and Josh Saunders but its core is young and talented.

Still, the Roosters will be wary of the sides trying to push their way into the top five and take their spot after making the first semi-final last year.

I think they could make the five but have them next in line at six.

Hamilton Kangaroos' best is good. But can they maintain it long enough to break through for a maiden finals series?

The Roos' fortunes will be one of the most intriguing sub-plots of the season.

The evenness of the competition makes it equally difficult to predict a wooden spooner.

Portland is the side to inherit this unwanted tip but it's because it's an unknown quantity.

Midfielder Jake Wilson comes with big wraps and new coach Tom Sharp is eager.

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