Due to the unfortunate withdrawal of Peden’s Hotel from the first grade competition there will only be five clubs competing in the top grade, and will therefore play four full rounds of competition.

The second grade competition will also unfortunately feature a bye, with seven clubs competing over three full rounds of competition.

Third grade consists of six clubs and will play four full rounds, with fourth grade consisting of eight clubs playing three full rounds.

Junior competitions will be played in under-10s, under-12s and under-14s and will commence the following weekend.

With clubs busy recruiting players in the off season, here is a sneak preview of what to expect in the top grade this season.

BELLBIRD

Last season: 2nd, Premiers.

Captain: Rob Drage

Premierships: Eleven (1930-31, joint 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2001-02,           2006-07, 2009-10, joint 2012-13, joint 2013-14, 2014-15).

Gains: Nil.

Losses: Shannon Attewell (not playing).

Bottom Line: The Tigers won a hotly contested decider by two wickets against arch-rivals Mulbring at Miller Park last season to cap a memorable eleventh title. With little happening in the gains/losses department they will once again be a force to be reckoned with. The crafty Shannon Attewell has decided to sit the year out, but their strong batting line up headed up by four-time centurion last season Jason Orr, the Fairlie brothers and skipper Drage should see them post plenty of competitive totals. They boast the strongest bowling attack in the competition, with Matt Tomlinson and Elliot Gyler always looking to make plenty of inroads early on with the four-piece. Throw veteran Bellbird Lord Mayor and emperor of Carmichael Park Dave Gyler into the mix and they will once again be hard to top for back-to-back titles. 

Prediction: 1st 

GRETA/BRANXTON

Last season: 3rd, beaten semi-finalists.

Captain: Josh Dagg

Premierships: Three (2004-05, 2007-08, joint 2013-14).

Gains: Martin Shearer (returning from injury), Marco Turkalj (Denman).

Losses: Mick Shelley (Narara/Wyoming), Jake Goodyer (Western Australia work), Brent Watson, Damien Austin, Mark Peace (all not playing), Mark Hale (Mudgee). 

Bottom Line: The bowler’s union has gone on strike at Miller Park, with three of the Blues’ front line seamers not playing this season. After an impressive debut season with the club last year Craig Brook is battling injury and is also in doubt for the start of the season. The Blues will rely heavily on his availability along with the timely return of Martin Shearer from injury and some talented bowling youth coming up through the grades to fill the void. They still boast a strong batting line up, and will need skipper Dagg, Damien Frize, Barry Richards and Greg Andrews to score plenty of runs to pose a threat in this year’s competition.  

Prediction: 4th

MULBRING

Last season: Minor Premiers, beaten finalists. 

Captain: Josh Lewis/Greg Sheehan

Premierships: Nine (1971-72, 1992-93, 1994-95, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2010-11, 2011-12, joint 2012-13).

Gains: Simon Ansell (Parkville), Daniel Bell (Singleton PCH), Matt Zechel (Kurri).

Losses: Drew Olsen (England).

Bottom Line: The Marlins were narrowly edged out by arch-rivals Bellbird by two wickets in yet another exciting finish to last year’s competition. The loss of run-scoring machine opener Drew Olsen will hurt a little, with him plying his trade with success in the “Old Dart” during the off-season. Left-arm spinner Cameron Ross was due to return to the foot of the Watagans this season, however he was intercepted by Olsen before his return to team up for an extra tour of Europe. Some very handy inclusions in Ansell, Bell and Zechel will boost their already strong batting line up, and with talented all-rounder and current district player of the year Brad Strachan back for another stint they should be pushing for the title once again. 

Prediction: 2nd   

SUPPORTERS CLUB

Last season: 4th, beaten semi-finalists 

Captain: Nathan Stapleford

Premierships: Five (1987-88, 1988-89, 1993-94, joint 1999-00, 2000-01).

Gains: Dale Arnold (Wine Country).

Losses: Michael Ho (Sydney), Jack Morris (Paxton).

Bottom Line: The Goannas were competitive last year and did enough throughout the season to make the semi-finals. With no real noted big signings a fair deal of the responsibility will again rest on the shoulders of skipper Stapleford to lead the way with bat and ball. The club’s strong junior base will see plenty of talented kids get a crack at the top grade again this season. Club legend and life member Rob Stapleford usually keeps an ace up his sleeve with an early to mid-season big signing, and if this can occur they will press for a semi-final spot again. 

Prediction: 5th  

WINE COUNTRY

Last season: 5th 

Captain: Stephen Hedger

Premierships: Thirteen as Wentworth Hotel (1958-59, 1962-63, 1966-67, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1989-90, 1990-91, joint 1991-92, 1996-97).

Gains: Matthew McCarthy, Dean Elliot (Gloucester), Brent Mendyk (Mulbring), Darren Sutton (returning).

Losses: Dale Arnold (Supporters), Peter Auditore (injured).

Bottom Line: After winning the dreaded wooden cutlery the previous season, the Wood Ducks improved last year and won three games to unload the spoon to Peden’s Hotel. Things should continue to improve at Allandale this year, with country cricket journeyman and association legend Matt McCarthy returning to the district to play with his fifth different club. Co-pilot Dean Elliot also returns after showing positive signs with the bat in his short stint with Supporters Club a few seasons ago. Brent Mendyk has left Mulbring in an attempt to play more top grade cricket this season after scoring an explosive 73 to steer his second grade side to a premiership last season. A fit and raring to go Darren Sutton also returns to bolster their bowling ranks. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but the slab work is down for the 13-time premiership winners to return to the glory days. 

Prediction: 3rd