2019 result: Seventh; AFL Riverina Championships: DNP

Key gains: Nick Perryman, Jayden Klemke, Ed Perryman, Jack Thompson, Joe Schultz, Spencer Small, Tom Crakanthorp, Harry Radley, Jackson Sanbrook

Key losses: Ben Absolum, Ned Mortimer, Marc Geppert, Luke Gestier, Jason Ainsworth, Ben Klemke, Sean Keith

Overview: The Demons have lost plenty of experience from the team which finished seventh in 2019, with the likes of Ben Absolum, Ned Mortimer, Marc Geppert and Ryan Dean all hanging up the boots. It's now up to the next generation to take on more leadership, which coach Brett Somerville feels will be one of their most crucial focuses this year.

The coach says: "Those retired guys would have been good to lead our team on and off the field, but it does present an opportunity for other guys like Nick Perryman, Jayden Klemke and Dan Frawley to all step into that void. Our biggest challenge is probably the younger guys stepping into some leadership rather than relying on other guys to do it, because we are going to be young. They've showed signs so far they'll be able to do that."

Prediction: Seventh

Coaches: Jake Barrett and Mark Carroll

2019 result: Third (eliminated in preliminary final); AFL Riverina Championships: DNP

Key gains: Jeremy Sykes, Matt Harpley

Key losses: Luke Redfern, Nick Pleming

Overview: The Hoppers have lost some midfield class with Luke Redfern stepping up into the SANFL and Nick Pleming playing in Sydney, but they have recruited experience and quality in Jeremy Sykes and Matt Harpley. Harpley has won three Farrer League flags at Temora and will step up into the Riverina League for the first time. Sykes will play up forward and roll through the midfield after a stint as co-coach at Turvey Park. Jake Barrett (player-coach) and Mark Carroll (non-playing coach) will lead the group for the first time this year.

Co-coach Mark Carroll says: Redfern and Pleming will take some replacing but we're hoping some of our young guys will step up into the void and can pick up that slack. Baz (Jake Barrett) and I get on really well, I'm keen to take some heat off him and let him play. I've been around the block a bit, I'm just trying to bring that along and guide blokes."

Prediction: Third

Coach: Sam Martyn

2019 result: Fifth (Eliminated in elimination final); AFL Riverina Championships: Third (eliminated in preliminary final)

Key gains: George Alexander, Kai Watts, Nahom Fitzgerald-Holmes, Jono Neville, Rhys Hartwig, Isaac Crouch

Key losses: Nick Murray, Sam Murray, Louis Miller, Zac Burhop, Scott Proctor, Matt Neagle

Overview: Nick Murray (Adelaide rookie list) and goal sneak Louis Miller are gone, but the Lions looked to have replaced the forward stocks well with crumber Kai Watts, Osborne recruit George Alexander and fellow key forward Riley Corbett, who spent most of last year sidelined with a fractured foot. Zac Burhop and Scott Proctor are big losses.

Coach Sam Martyn says: "We were hopeful of retaining Zac because he's versatile and had a great work ethic, but losing Scott (Proctor) is big because he didn't hurt our points total and to have a player of that calibre with so few points was huge. We've got some blokes who were playing twos last year that would be in firsts most years. The one thing everyone can do is pressure, it doesn't take any skill or talent to apply that."

Prediction: Fourth

Coach: Greg Dreyer

2019 result: Runners-up; AFL Riverina Championships: DNP

Key gains: Jack Powell, Thomas Powell, Henry Delves, Riley Irvin, Leigh Owen

Key losses: Blake Argus, Toby Blissett, Alex Overs, Daniel Peruzzi, Luke Peruzzi, Mathew Peruzzi, Jacob Conlan, Lucas Conlan, Jordan Iudica, Heath Northey, Guy Orton, Will Griggs

Overview: The Swans have lost a heap of experience from their 2019 grand final side, including coach Will Griggs. They will field a young side but have a handful of players still in their early twenties who have played plenty of football at high levels. The return of club junior Henry Delves is a huge boost to the forward line, and Jack and Thomas Powell have followed him to Griffith from Ainslie.

Coach Greg Dreyer says: "We missed last year so everyone's keen. We were pretty disappointed, we had some good numbers for last year. One of the concerns is some of those young blokes miss that year of footy, so it's a bit of an unknown to see how they cope in first grade. The first part of the year is about building, working hard on defence and learning the little things."

Prediction: Ninth

Coach: Sam Darley

2019 result: Ninth; AFL Riverina Championships: Runners-up

Key gains: Bradley Boots, Sam Darley, Isaac Longford, Jordan Greene, Alex Daly, Harry Steele, Lachlan Broad, Jake Turner, Tyron Rainbird

Key losses: Hugh Collins, Jade Hodge, Sam Hopper, Daniel Muir, Jayden Lehman, Coopa Steele, Josh Thomas, Jake Wood, Lucas Meline, Cooper Sharman, Jeromy Lucas

Overview: The cancellation of a number of interstate competitions resulted in a torrent of top juniors returning to the club for last year's AFL Riverina Championships. New coach Sam Darley won't have the same luxury, but his cause has been boosted by the return of forward Bradley Boots and luring premiership skipper Bryce O'Garey out of retirement.

Coach Sam Darley says: "The most pleasing thing (in intra-club trials) was they showed composure with the footy. We want to use the ball well, and the people in the stands even said it was noticeable from what they've seen in previous years their ability to think through a situation (was better)."

Prediction: Sixth

Coach: Jeremy Rowe

2019 result: Fourth (eliminated in semi finals); AFL Riverina Championships: Fourth

Key gains: Ryan Turnbull, Christian Palombi, Sam De Sousa, Brayden Ambler, Max Hanrahan, Jonathan Male, Adam Trotto, Doug Arthur, Rokewood Corindhap

Key losses: Jack Carey, Jack Collins, Zac Hanrahan, Nick McCormack, Kieran Shea, Zac Walgers, Jack Reynolds, Rhys Mooney

Overview: The Goannas aren't messing about this year, they want to break their 28-year premiership drought. They've been the most aggressive movers in the player market this year and have recruited quality across all lines. They suffered a blow with forward recruit Chris York suffering a season-ending leg injury in a trial match, but the retention of goal machine Trent Castles is huge.

Coach Jeremy Rowe says: "The competition's going to be exceptionally strong and I reckon most clubs would be sitting there at the moment pretty happy with where they're at. There's maybe five or six live chances to be there at the finish. We're definitely happy with our list, we think we've retained the players we wanted and picked up specific needs for our footy side which has our list in good shape."

Prediction: Second

Coach: Jordan Hedington

2019 result: Eighth

AFL Riverina Championships: DNP

Key gains: Angus Durnan, Rob Tuohey, Fergus Inglis, Luke McKay.

Key losses: Macauley Smith, Jack Grintell.

Overview: After winning three matches in 2019, coach Jordan Hedington has set a target of doubling that number this season. Former Tigers Angus Durnan and Fergus Inglis will bolster the forward line stocks, while former Ainslie premiership captain Rob Tuohey and Belconnen halfback flanker Luke McKay will add some needed class and experience.

The coach says: "We've got a good Canberra cohort coming out this year, who bring some experience we were lacking. Rob (Tuohey) won three flags with Ainslie, Angus Duran won one with Wagga Tigers last year. They're winners and I think they can play a big part going forward for us I hope."

Prediction: Eighth

Coach: Michael Mazzocchi

2019 result: Sixth; AFL Riverina Championships: Sixth

Key gains: Ash Harris, Shaun Allan, Mitch Ward, Stephen Camp, Tom Yates, Andrew Saddler, Ted Fellows, Luke Fellows, Matt Ness

Key losses: Jeremy Sykes, Luke Cuthbert, Alex Rogers, Tom Crakanthorp, Jesse Margosis, Jackson Weidemann, Jack Thompson, Jackson Moye, Tim Doyle

Overview: New coach Michael Mazzocchi's main objective when he signed on was to recruit some experienced, wise heads to help nurture the club's young pups. The likes of Ovens and Murray premiership winner Tom Yates, the return of club junior Matt Ness, Ainslie best and fairest winner Stephen Camp, ruckman Shaun Allan and former Ainslie captain Ash Harris, among others, means expectations are far higher.

The coach says: "There's always going to be gradual improvement with so many new things in place for them. I think we're fully aware we're not going to be our best version in round one, however I'm sure what we're putting in place is going to hold us in good stead to be really competitive. We're just looking forward to becoming a competitive footy club."

Prediction: Fifth

Coach: Murray Stephenson

2019 result: Premiers; AFL Riverina Championships: Premiers

Key gains: Nick Ryan, Louis Waters, Jock Cornell, Tom Osmotherly, Brady Morton

Key losses: James Grills, Brayden O'Hara, Luke Gestier, Shaun Driscoll, Shaun Campbell, Jake Gaynor, Angus Durnan, Brocke Argus, Harry Radley

Overview: After backing up their 2019 Riverina League flag by taking out last year's AFL Riverina Championships, the Tigers have taken a different approach by naming a player-coach in Murray Stephenson. The quality Ovens and Murray players they lured last year are no longer there, but the regular nucleus remains and they should again be around at the pointy end.

Coach Murray Stephenson says: "We've got a few guys familiar to the place returning and they're handy ones to get back. We just want an even spread of contributors and we don't want to be a side that relies on a few, we want everyone playing their roles. They're expected to play that role week-in, week-out. It's going to be important with how even the comp is to bank wins early if you want that double chance."

Prediction: Premiers

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

MORE NEWS