An off-season dominated by player movement has many new-look GCA clubs confident they can put the Cats back in their cage.

Will Grassmere's new leadership duo be the key for them? Can Killarney stay at the stop after some key departures? Or will someone else rise this year?

The Standard's Sean Hardeman has analysed how your club will stack up this season.

LAST SEASON: Third

IN: Corey Couch (Jan Juc), Justin Lynch (Merrivale)

OUT: Luke and Michael McCosh

PLAYER TO WATCH: Justin Lynch. Captain-Coach Corey Couch thinks "He'll be looking forward to making some runs and he will be one to watch closely."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "We want to play finals again this year and that is the ultimate goal." - Couch

OUR VERDICT: A busy off-season for the Meerkats has them perched in the right spot to break their long premiership drought. The inclusion of Couch and Lynch will bolster their already stacked line up.

LAST SEASON: Premiers

IN: Ben Julius (Killarney)

OUT: Fletcher Cozens (West Warrnambool)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Club president and star batsman Murray Habel said "Our captain Lachy Glare will be consistent like he has been the last few years with his batting and bowling. Hopefully we get another consistent year out of him."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "It's a new ball game going back to one-dayers. I suppose we'll have to see how we adapt." - Habel

OUR VERDICT: The Cats have managed to keep most of their top-grade side and should again be a dangerous side to come up against in the new format.

LAST SEASON: Fourth

IN: None

OUT: Brendan Chatfield (West Warrnambool), Anthony Martin (East), Ben Julius (Hawkesdale)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Oscar Sanderson. Brayden Buchanan says the 19-year-old's "body is a bit more mature and he has been bowling really well in pre-season."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "We have lost key players but I think we still have the depth there that we can still play finals." - Buchanan

OUR VERDICT: Hard to discount the Crabs who consistently show they're a capable finals side but now its just whether they can break their drought.

LAST SEASON: Seventh

IN: Shae De Francesco (Mortlake)

OUT: Chris Woodbridge (Merrivale), Bryce Conheady (East Warrnambool)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Damian Jones. Lachlan Boyle said he "came back last year and reignited his interest in cricket playing in our C grade. He is a good player and he has qualities of a good A grade player and has committed to a full season."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "Expectations will be the same as last year, we want to push for finals. We are there and around the mark we just need the passengers in the side to stand up and do more. if we can find a balance we will be a good team." - Boyle

OUR VERDICT: The Jets missed a big opportunity to play finals last season and this could be the summer they shake up the competition and jump into the flag mix.

LAST SEASON: Fifth

IN: Steve Blacker (Woolsthorpe), Tim Barr (Mortlake)

OUT: None

PLAYER TO WATCH: "Tim Bryce is in for a big year. He is ready to take his scoring from 400 a season to 600-700. He will open the batting and bowling as a key player for us." - captain Paddy Mahony

LEADER'S VERDICT: "We were really disappointed lats year about missing finals so we are really keen to get into finals this year and to finish top four." - Mahony

OUR VERDICT: The Bulldogs have recruited well and have managed to retain a list that barely missed out on a finals spot. Are eager to rise back to the top once again.

LAST SEASON: Ninth

IN: Ben Heard (Brierly-Christ Church), Jack Ansell (Nestles)

OUT: Richard McKellar (Merrivale)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jack Ansell. Captain-Coach Ben Howarth said, "I haven't seen a heap of him but he feel he could be a good one to watch."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "I'm pretty happy where the club is at and where we have come from in the last year. From training we've had really good turnouts and good energy and I'm confident convert that into more wins." - Howarth

OUR VERDICT: The Bulls have put their faith in youth and it could be a boom or bust plan. They will either make an almighty charge or be stopped in their tracks. Only time will tell where this team ends up.

LAST SEASON: Eighth

IN: Jethro Searle (Yambuk), James Reid (Wesley-CBC), Sajan and Chamika Fernando (Sri Lanka)

OUT: None

PLAYER TO WATCH: Sajan and Chamika Fernando. Captain-Coach Lachie Morrison said "they're both really good cricketers... and good in the field. They have got everyone around here excited about cricket again."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "I think we will be pretty strong with a couple of our B grade blokes stepping up wanting to have a crack at A grade and I also think the one-day will suit us." - Morrison

OUR VERDICT: With the Sri Lankans coming in with little list turnover and a desire to be better the Roosters are a chance to make a steep rise up the ladder and challenge for a finals spot.

LAST SEASON: Runners-up

IN: None

OUT: Liam Balcombe (Terang), Aaron Clarke (Melbourne), Ben Jennings

PLAYER TO WATCH: Corey McKenzie. Co-captain Tyson Umbers believes the allrounder is ready after "he had an injury-prone season last year and if he can get going with bat and ball will be pretty dangerous."

LEADER'S VERDICT: "We will be there abouts again. Despite us losing some key players we haven't really gone out to recruit because we believe we have the junior talent to step up and play a big role this season. - Umbers

OUR VERDICT: The Buks were pipped at the final hurdle last season and will again be a challenger. The only problem they could encounter is their commitment to junior depth back firing. At this stage they are in a big field chasing a taste of finals action.