Every new season is exciting but there are many sub-plots leading into Round 1 with some mouth-watering clashes in store.
One such enthralling encounter takes place between two finalists from 2012 in St George and UNSW/ES at Kelso Oval on Saturday afternoon.
UNSW/ES are the defending premiers after a halycon finish to the season. They will be out to prove doubters wrong that they can indeed perform without the influence of former Phelan Medalist and now Sydney Swan, Dane Rampe.
Rampe heads a list of outs including lead ruckman Sam Tagliabue (VFL), Stan Milton Medalist Leigh Lavery (long-term ankle injury) and Steve Benjamin (retired).
There is still plenty of class in Max Collett, Hayden Nichols, Peter Kefalas, last year's Podbury Medalist Adam Gulden, Matt Rawlinson and Ryan Plant. Looks for these key players to take another step forward under the eyes of key backman and playing-coach, Rhys McAlister. Also keep an eye out for key recruits Henry Mason, Mitch Somes, Michael Towan and Dave Shannon.
St George were eliminated in the first week of finals last year and should contend for the flag this year as their list is one year older with more experience under their belt.
Declan Donohue was named club captain again and will be looking for more time on the field after a frustrating year with injuries. Nick Ryan and Jason Saddington lead one of the best forward lines in the competition. Steve Wilsen and David Ryan are always accountable, and you can look for further improvement in Dave Lycakis, Blake Guthrie and Dean Gilbert.
Two sides looking for an improved showing this year are Sydney Hills Eagles and Sydney University. One will get an early season boost in their Round One clash at Bruce Purser Reserve.
Both sides have recruited heavily to not only bolster their NEAFL list but also depth as both squads were hit heavily by injuries in 2012.
One can especially expect a good account from Sydney University, who from sources say they will surprise a few Premier Division outfits this year after a forgettable campaign last year.
UTS will start heavy favourites at home against Illawarra. If the transfer market is anything to go by, both sides are destined for diverging fortunes in 2013.
UTS have been the biggest players in the player market with a large influx from reputable amateur competitions from around the country. Former club Best and Fairest, Michael Atkinson also returns to the club after a season up north in Queensland to give the Bats greater depth in the midfield.
Illawarra have lost some key players and have not appeared to add to their list much by way of talent. Ryan Price and Ethan Hailey lead the transfers out of the club, with Price no doubt Illawarra's most important and best player in recent years as full-forward.
A lot will fall on the graduating Under 18s who made the Grand Final last year. Ken Ewen-Chappell (playing coach) and James Weavers will act as leaders and be asked for big efforts in the midfield.
Two sides with new coaches, Western Suburbs and Campbelltown, will play off at Picken Oval with the hope of a surge up the ladder after a few lean seasons.
Kevin Eynaud has come with a few new faces which should give the Magpies the fresh outlook they desperately need. Darrell Mayman will add speed, and Levi Sands a raking left boot likely from half-back. Josh Zoppo and Stephen Hudson are the most talented, and hardest working players at the club respectively and will need big years for the Magpies to make the finals.
Campbelltown will be led by respected coach, Neil Brunton and have recruited well themselves. Amua Parika and Matt Edwins both have NEAFL experience and are livewires. Edwins was named as club-captain- a big feather in the cap for the returning youngster who has a knack for kicking goals from the midfield and half-forward.
There are talented youngsters in Cameron Gordon, who will shoulder a lot of the ruck load, and Kieran Monteleone who will get plenty of Premier Division match time in 2013.
Arguably the biggest match of the weekend is between Pennant Hills Demons and North Shore Bombers at Mike Kenny Oval. Pennant Hills no doubt have the wood over North Shore lately, with the Demons winning two late season clashes to knock North Shore out in straight sets.
Not too much has changed in terms of personnel at the Bombers with Jon Hayres (coach) and Ron Wason leading the way. Lachlan Kilpatrick and Hayden Washington have both trekked across to Manly.
There is still talent there in the Fitzgerald brothers and Danny Roberts up forward.
Not much changes at Pennant Hills from year to year which is a good problem to have by ways of retention. Brandon Jack is now listed by the Sydney Swans which will impact the speed out wide for the Demons.
They are a hard-bodied outfit with Aaron Crisfield, the returning Matt Thomas, and Alex Goodall among those who will be relied upon for big years. Kieran Wright is still a gun and even dominated at full-forward in the last practice match versus Balmain, while the word is that the enigmatic Ranga Ediriwickrama is back which is a big plus.
The AFL Sydney Match of the Week features Balmain and the debutants in Premier Division- Manly Warringah at Henson Park.
A lot has changed at Dockerland over the off-season with playing coach Craig White (WA), Gerard Wilkie and leading goalkicker Ben Taggart (Sydney University) leading the exodus.
Garry Bull and Leigh Conway will lead the side this year, and should still ensure their side is competitive. One doubts though whether they will challenge for the flag after two successive Grand Final defeats.
There is still talent in Conway, Selby Lee-Steere and Matthew Round, it will just be a question of depth in the top twenty-two and beyond that should injuries start to occur.
Manly-Warringah, under experienced coach Leigh Brain, will be pumped after dominating the Division One competition for many years.
It will be interesting to see how the likes of Anthony Robertson and Tyrone Armitage adjust to the rigours of Premier Division football after enjoying a free rein for many years.
The Wolves have retained much of their list and added by way of Kilpatrick, Washington and in particular, former Swans listed player Jack Lynch who is still young and able to make a notable impact.
You can follow us on Facebook (AFL Sydney) and Twitter (@AFLSydney) throughout the weekend for score updates and discussion regarding match results.
Last Modified on 04/04/2013 16:49
