Local rugby league commences this weekend with the Group 16 pre-season competition with seven great games of football at George Brown Memorial Oval, Eden.
Matches begin at 9.30am with Eden's Under 18s taking on 2004 premiers Bega.
All clubs will be represented on the day by Under 18 and 1st grade sides and it will be interesting to see which clubs can challenge Narooma for the title.
Undefeated for the past two seasons the Red Devils have again appointed David Boyle as captain coach after it was rumoured he may be moving to the Bega Roosters.
The Red Devils have also retained most of their premiership side and with a lot of promising players coming through their junior ranks should be at the front again.
Their only problem at this stage seems to be an injury suffered by Boyle whilst playing touch football, which could rule him out of early matches.
Cooma versus Bega at 11.50am will see two of the big guns of the past few years clash and promises to be the match of the day.
Bega has signed several players and if the rumour mill is right Jeff Rapely (Pam-Mer), Nathan Clarke (Tathra) Grant Bobbin (Port Kembla) Paul Berg (Perth) Gary Lucas (Young) will be playing in the Roosters colors in season 2005.
It is also suggested that they made approaches to Eden duo Scott Jackson and Neil Baker before they re-signed with Eden.
These players, along with some of the Roosters youngsters from last year, will see them prove a major obstacle, and with Ray Ringland as non playing coach will be looking for immediate results.
Cooma on the other hand are returning to Group 16 after a long sabbatical in the Canberra competition.
They appear determined to return to their mantle as a major force in Group 16.
They have appointed Steve Russell as captain coach and he has attracted several Cooma players who have played with the Queanbeyan Roos.
Speaking to some of their players recently, they are confident that they can provide the opposition that Narooma need and will be a very strong club in all grades.
Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs will take on last year's grand finalists Moruya Sharks at 1.20pm.
The Sharks have appointed tough man Justin Zutt as captain coach and he will lead from the front with his no-nonsense approach.
The Sharks have lost some senior players to retirement in Rodney Connell, Mick Johnson, and Robert Burke.
Young Darren Irwin is playing with Newton in the Metro Cup competition and Tim Weyman is with the Raiders in the NRL, so the Sharks will not be as strong this year.
The Sharks will be hoping the Reserve players who won the competition in a canter last year and if these players can step up a level then they will remain a force.
The Bulldogs on the other hand are merely looking to climb back and remain.
After having a young side perform so well in 2003 and then not being able to field a side last season the doggies really need just to survive.
In 2003 every tipster had the Bulldogs down to win the comp in a season or two with the players they had and all they needed was some experience.
This was not to be as player after player left the district, leaving the Bulldogs in recess.
Nearly every other club and code are doing their best to give the Bulldogs their last rites.
The Bulldogs will field probably the youngest side in Group 16 history with several of their players still eligible for the Under 18 competition.
This has not, however, stopped other clubs attempting to lure these young players, sometimes you must wonder if these clubs actually want a competition with more than two clubs.
Flynn Callaway is non-playing coach of the Bulldogs and they have some great talent but probably lack depth at this stage.
The third match is between host club the Eden Tigers and title holders Narooma at 4pm.
The Tigers have appointed Scott Jackson as captain coach, returning to the club after a stint in Taree.
Jackson's ability is well known to all league followers and he will give the Tigers great leadership.
This, along with the return of veteran Neil Baker, who over the years has provided sterling service to the tigers, will see the Tigers more competitive in 2005.
The Tigers, like the Bulldogs, have some great young talent and expect a big season from Brad Chatfield if handed the Tigers number six jumper.
Shane Mongta is a try-scoring machine and will again be the go-to man for the Tigers.
This match will provide an indication of how the Tigers will fare.
The last clash sees Bombala take the field against Pambula-Merimbula who will be doubling up after the withdrawal of the Bears.
The Bombala boys have appointed John Peck as their leader, replacing Clay Stewart who it appears will be having a season off.
Peck is known for his competitiveness and will give nothing less than 100 per cent every time he takes the field.
He will look towards Clay Clear to provide assistance and the yards up front.
Not much else is known about the Bombala boys at this stage but you can be rest assured that they will be competitive with Peck showing the way.
The day will be a great start to rugby league for 2005 season so get along to George Brown Oval, Eden for a great day of football.
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