A familiar group of teams will be in contention for the Horsham District league's A Grade premiership.
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Natimuk United have been a picture of consistency, with familiar faces guiding back-to-back premierships the past two seasons.
Although A Grade players Amy Pilgrim (departing) and Emily Hateley (pregnant) will miss 2019, the consistency in the Ewe's playing list should hold them in good stead again in 2019.
"Fundamentally, the core is still there," Natimuk United coach Cheryl Sudholz said.
"We'll miss both of them, but we'll look to try to bring the juniors in where we can and mentor them."
Fellow grand finalist Laharum will hope to go one better than last season's effort.
The Demons are well placed with the addition of Zandria Malone from the Warrack Eagles. Bec McIntyre has stepped down from the coaching role at Laharum due to other commitments, but should qualify for finals.
Prominent Horsham District netballer Sharon Fedke said she expected Natimuk United and Laharum to lead the way again.
"A lot of netball is about familiarity, if you can keep a consistent playing list from year-to-year," Fedke said.
"Natimuk have the edge with that, and Laharum have picked some players up as well. I think those two will be the benchmark this year."
Premiership-winning coach Ebonie Salter has returned as head coach of Harrow-Balmoral and looks to have the team in a good position.
Harrow-Balmoral have lost Amy Lewis (injury), Megan Russell and young-gun Ella Rees for the season, but Salter hopes that a host of new players would gel together quickly.
"We have a pretty new side. Our main goal is just to get used to each other ... get some enjoyment out of the year while trying to be as successful as we can," she said.
Harrow-Balmoral take on Kalkee in an enticing round one match. Kalkee coach Jamie O'Connor said her side was keen to push back into finals contention this season.
"We made finals last year but were disappointed to go out the way we did. We'll be looking to have a better run at it this season," O'Connor said.
Noradjuha-Quantong's chances of competing were hurt by a serious knee injury to last season's league best-and-fairest Brooke Pay. Pay tore her ACL in the final round of the 2018 season.
Fedke said the season was looking evenly poised.
"Harrow-Balmoral have always been strong team, Kalkee have picked up a couple of players, Swifts were the surprise packet last year and I can see them being strong again ... same with Edenhope-Apsley," Fedke said.
"The season has really crept up on us, so it's going to take a few weeks for teams to find their feet.
"I'm actually really looking forward to seeing the results this weekend. It's going to be quite interesting to see how the league is looking."
KEY MOVEMENTS
EDENHOPE-APSLEY: In - Ellie Thomas, Chloe Tuffnell. Out - Alex Lang, Ashleigh Ryan
HARROW-BALMORAL: In - Brittany Keller, Kate Vickery. Out - Megan Russell, Ella Rees
JEPARIT-RAINBOW: In- Bridget McKenzie's first year as co-coach, no major arrivals or departures.
KALKEE: In - Hayley Thomas, Brianna Schneider. Out - Remy Hoffmann, Emily Hannan
LAHARUM: In - Zandria Malone. Out - Jess Hernon, Courtney Guy
NATIMUK UNITED: In - no major arrivals. Out - Emily Hateley, Amy Pilgrim
NORADJUHA-QUANTONG: In - Louisa Vague. Out - Carly Creek, Brooke Pay (injury)
PIMPINIO: In - Maggie Clough, Anna Habel. Out - Marni Lehmann
RUPANYUP: In - Taylah Morgan. Out - no major departures
SWIFTS: In - Sarah Morris, Kirsty Dodds. Out - Julz Coates, Drew Smith
TAYLOR's LAKE: In - Mikayla Case. Out - Tia-Ana Parker
REFLECT ON 2018 - Photo galleries from every club
Richard Crabtree
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
