Newcastle Rugby League returns in 2021 with 10 teams, 18 rounds and a chance to clinch state honours.
Play gets underway this weekend after last year's campaign was heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Check out all the roster changes and premiership predictions for this season.
MAITLAND
Coach: Matt Lantry
Last Premiership: 2011
Last Year: President's Cup winners (NSWRL)
Gains: Tom Hughes (NSW Cup), Sean Kane (Jersey Flegg), Perry Le Brocque (The Entrance), Nic Lawrence (Cessnock), Carl Randall (Lakes), Kyle Kingston (Central), Bryden Brown (Kurri), Michael Rinkin (Singleton), Jeremy Fredericks (Aberglasslyn), Tyler Perrin (Fingal Bay), Matt Allwood, Brenton Horwood, Greg Morris, Marco Delapena, Jarom Haines (year off), Dan Randall (return).
Losses: Gary Anderson, Faitotoa Faitotoa (Q-Cup), Matt Soper-Lawler, Cooper Jenkins (NSW Cup), Callan Burgess (Jersey Flegg), Jacob McCudden (The Entrance), Henry Penn, Jared Anderson, Peter Cronin (Kurri), Jeremy Gibson (Macquarie), Marvin Filipo (Greta Branxton), Sam Mataora (not playing).
Summary: Riding the high of a one-off statewide title in 2020, the Pickers remain strong and are keen to lift another trophy.
Prediction: First
CENTRAL
Coach: Phil Williams
Last Premiership: 1949
Last Year: Sixth
Gains: Luke Walsh, Tyrone Walsh, Mao Uta (Wests), Dylan Phythian, Randall Briggs, Brad Murray, Ethan Cook (year off).
Losses: Grant Anderson, Jake Maizen (Q-Cup), Zac Hosking (NSW Cup), Kyle Kingston (Maitland).
Summary: The Butcher Boys have pulled off the biggest signing coup for 2021 by securing former NRL halfback Luke Walsh.
Prediction: Second
CESSNOCK
Coach: Todd Edwards
Last Premiership: 2020
Last Year: Second (won GF)
Gains: Denzel Burns, Gerome Burns, Billy Gilbert (Q-Cup), Tyrone Roberts-Davis (NSW Cup), Rocky Togatuki (Jersey Flegg), AJ Davis (Foster Tuncurry), Mitchell Smith (Port Macquarie), Wyatt Shaw (Wyong), Logan Edwards (Macquarie), Jayden Young (Kurri), Harry O'Brien, Brent Mendyk, Blake Andrews, Cameron King, Kori Barber, Sam Apthorpe, Brendan Williams (year off).
Losses: Brayden Musgrove (NRL), Ngangarra Barker (Q-Cup), Joe Woodbury (Macquarie), Nic Lawrence (Maitland), Josh Charles (Belmont South), Nick Newman (Erina), Guy Thompson (Dubbo), Seaton Reid (Noosa), Tom Baker (injured).
Summary: The Goannas tasted success last year and have recruited well to ensure they are in the mix again.
Prediction: Third
MACQUARIE
Coach: Steve Kidd
Last Premiership: 2017
Last Year: Didn't play
Gains: Kerrod Holland (NRL), Jack Jordan, Matt Moon, Campbell Sheppard (Jersey Flegg), Joe Gardiner (Guildford), Cameron Dennis (Dubbo CYMS), Kyle Sheperdson, Reuben Smahel (Tathra), Luke Higgins (Souths), Joe Woodbury (Cessnock), Jeremy Gibson (Maitland), Tye Alchin (Dora Creek), Hayden Cole, Rob Buaserau, Caileb Gerrard (Wildfires - union).
Losses: Randall Briggs (Central), Logan Edwards (Cessnock), Matt Simon (Belmont South), Matt Hay (Glendale), Adam Grew (Muswellbrook), Nathan Cantor, Daniel Abraham (retired).
Summary: Fresh from a season on the sidelines, the Scorpions have built an impressive looking roster to play at Lyall Peacock.
Prediction: Fourth
THE ENTRANCE
Coach: Shane Wooden
Last Premiership: 2019 (Central Coast)
Last Year: Didn't play
Gains: Luke Sharpe, Josh Mantellato (Wyong), Jacob McCudden (Maitland).
Losses: Perry Le Brocque (Maitland).
Summary: The Tigers debut in Newcastle but, despite a year off, arrive having won back-to-back titles on the Central Coast in 2018 and 2019.
Prediction: Fifth
WESTS
Coach: Todd Lowrie
Last Premiership: 2019
Last Year: Third (lost SF)
Gains: Hayden Loughrey (Lakes), Steve Widders (Orange), Roman Fepuleai (return), Nimi Qio (Wildfires - union).
Losses: Luke Walsh, Tyrone Walsh, Mao Uta (Central), Blake Andrews (Wyong), Sione Tuitupou-Kutu (Lakes), Warren Schillings (Northern Hawks), Ryan Walsh.
Summary: The Rosellas have lost key personnel from Harker Oval for 2021.
Prediction: Sixth
WYONG
Coach: Mitch Williams
Last Premiership: 2016 (Central Coast)
Last Year: First (lost SF)
Gains: Blake Andrews (Wests), Magnus Stromquist (Asquith), Tarnae Mahon (Ourimbah - union), Dusty Shaw (year off), Luke Bartley (Northern Lakes), Scott Schreiber (Terrigal), Lincoln Tubridy (Berkeley Vale).
Losses: Jaron Purcell (NSW Cup), Jack Stringer (Jersey Flegg), Nathan Kegg (Blacktown), Dylan Clark (Port Macquarie), Nick O'Meley, Jake O'Meley (Lakes), Wyatt Shaw (Cessnock), Luke Sharpe, Josh Mantellato (The Entrance).
Summary: The Roos stay in Newcastle after a last-minute call-up in 2020, but different squad.
Prediction: Seventh
KURRI KURRI
Coach: Mitch Cullen
Last Premiership: 1995
Last Year: Didn't play
Gains: Jesse Cronin (Q-Cup), Tyler Randell (Cessnock), Henry Penn, Jared Anderson, Peter Cronin (Maitland), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (year off), Nathan Ross, Steve Gordon (return).
Losses: Tyme Dow-Nikau (UK), Jayden Young (Cessnock), Kahn Juhnke (injured).
Summary: Twelve months off but set to unveil three former NRL players in season opener.
Prediction: Eighth
SOUTHS
Coach: Matt Kennedy
Last Premiership: 2018
Last Year: Fourth (lost GF)
Gains: Brendon Simpson (year off), Toby Evans (return), Jake Dooley (Parkes), Corey Brown (Orange), Joel Munro (Canberra).
Losses: Lachlan Walmsley (UK), Dylan Lucas, Harry Van Dartel, Jack Cameron (NSW Cup), Tori Freeman, Tom Cronin (retired).
Summary: A few new faces to watch at the Lions but some key players missing.
Prediction: Ninth
LAKES
Coach: Robbie Payne
Last Premiership: 2015
Last Year: Fifth
Gains: Enemarki Shibasaki (Q-Cup), Luke Huth (NSW Cup), Jake O'Meley, Nick O'Meley (Wyong), Sione Tuitupou-Kutu (Wests), Brad Calder, Corey Sanday, Dylan Pisani (Northern Lakes), Shaun Boss, Jarron Costelloe (year off).
Losses: Brandon Russell (Q-Cup), Hayden Loughrey (Wests), Carl Randall (Maitland).
Summary: The Seagulls blooded plenty of club juniors to gain experience last year.
Prediction: Tenth
