Last season: 2nd (won grand final)

Premierships: 2009

Coach: Paul Stringer

Gains: Kirk Thompson (Central Coast Storm), Kene Te Whata (Parramatta), Shaun Sullivan (union), John Grey (Manly).

Losses: Dane Cronin, Mark Miller (retired), Jeremy Monden (The Entrance).

Bottom line: The defending premiers look certainties to be in contention again come the business end of the season. Coach Paul Stringer believes his side have even greater depth in 2010. The Roos will be without prop Ben Uptin for the opening five rounds due to an elbow injury but 2007 Real NRL rookie of the year Kene Te Whata is an impressive replacement.

Prediction: 2nd

CESSNOCK

Last season: 1st (lost grand final)

Premierships: 1941, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1972, 1977, 2003

Coach: Todd Edwards

Gains: Alec Fata (Queensland Cup), Adam Withyman, Mick O'Shea (Souths), Matt Marshall (Mounties), Claude Gordon (Dubbo), Jacob Jenkinson (Barrow Riders, UK).

Losses: Sione Finefeuiaki (Wests), Willie Pole'o, Daniel Metcalfe (Maitland), Chris Adams, Trent Walker (Centurions), Ryan Binge (Grafton).

Bottom line: A large turnover of players means the task to reach their third successive grand final will be a tough ask. Representative player of the year Chris Adams will be the biggest loss for the Goannas but the talented hooker could return to the side later in the season from the Centurions.

Prediction: 4th

KURRI KURRI

Last season: 4rd (lost preliminary final)

Premierships: 1931, 1940, 1945, 1993-95

Coach: Todd Polglase

Gains: Steve Madden (Dubbo), George Morseau (Knights), Cheyne McIntyre (Singleton).

Losses: Chris Tyrie (Central), Michael Deacon (Greta).

Former Knights, Bulldogs and South Sydney back Todd Polglase replaces Shaun Collingwood at the kennel and he has a powerful squad to orchestrate. If former Knights Reegan Tanner, Daniel Abraham and Luke Quigley can remain fit, Kurri are certain to be in contention come September.

Prediction: 3rd

CENTRAL CHARLESTOWN

Last season: 4th (lost minor semi-final)

Premierships: None

Coach: Dean Bosnich

Gains: Callan Richardson (Parramatta), Jacob Briggs, Heath Hodges, Rowan Hopping (Macquarie), Mack Fawcett, Jay Bolton (Souths), Paul Franze (Pia, France), Chris Tyrie (Kurri), Joel Barton.

Losses: Chad Solman (Macquarie), Ainsley Coxsedge, Justin Apthorpe (Souths), Billy Towers, Gavin Quinn (Maitland), Scott Briggs.

Bottom line: The Butcher Boys have a new coach in former Cronulla hooker Dean Bosnich and he will have a core group on which to build.

The forward pack led by Mick Young and Hayden Jeans will be the key for Central qualifying for the semi-finals again. Halves Jacob Briggs and Chris Tyrie both had seasons to forget in 2009 and will be desperate to gel as a new combination.

Prediction: 7th

WESTERN SUBURBS

Last season: 5th (lost elimination semi-final)

Premierships: 1912, 1915, 1916, 1922, 1961, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1980-82, 1984, 1992, 1997-99, 2002, 2004, 2008

Coach: Dan Quinn

Gains: Sione Finefeuiaki (Cessnock), Simon Osborne (Nelson Bay), Dan Isaac (Queensland Cup), Todd Maddison (Souths), Sean Rudder (Newton).

Losses: Mick Fortier (retired).

Bottom line: Most pundits believe the Rosellas already have one hand on the premiership before a ball has been kicked. Wests have spent big and attracted class to add to their already impressive roster. Only a massive injury toll should prevent the Rosellas from appearing in the grand final.

Prediction: 1st

MACQUARIE

Last season: 6th (won 7, lost 11)

Premierships: 1991

Coach: Mal Graham

Gains: Todd Bridge (Balmain), Chad Solman (Central), Grant and Charlie Collins (Northlakes), Cameron Dyer (Manly), Robbie Clarkson (Mudgee).

Losses: Matt Nicoll, Matt Shipway, Alex McCosker, Rohan Fetterplace (Souths), Daniel Stuart (France), Clarence Bruinsma (Woy Woy), Jacob Briggs (Central), Anthony Barrett (Wanderers rugby), Jeremy Janissen (Cardiff), Rowan Hopping, Heath Hodges (Central), Sam Quinn (Lakes United).

Bottom line: The Scorpions have lost nearly their entire 2009 backline. Former Balmain under-20s halfback Todd Bridge and Central recruit Chad Solman will direct the side but it's the forward pack of Danny Vaughan, Daniel Bates, Matt Cook and Blake Gallen where Macquarie need to fire to compete for the top five.

Prediction: 5th

NORTHERN

Last season: 7th (won 7, lost 11)

Premierships: 2005

Coach: Robert Relf

Gains: Mat Cooper (Cronulla), Josh McCartney (Queensland).

Losses: Simon Osborne (Wests), Kurt Gudgeon, James King, Ben Holden (Central Coast), Jon Tupou (Souths), Jim Slater, Hayden Topliss (Redcliffe), Marvin Filipo (Centurions), Chris Poulos.

Blues coach Robert Relf has focused on Port Stephens talent with the club unable to attract big-name signings. The club still boasts the likes of James McCabe, Matt Latham and Dane Queenan and should challenge for fifth spot if Relf can secure more recruits throughout the season.

Prediction: 9th

SOUTH NEWCASTLE

Last season: 8th (won 5, lost 13)

Premierships: 1919, 1926, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1988, 1989

Coach: Paul Davies

Gains: Matt Nicoll, Matt Shipway, Alex McCosker (Macquarie), Jon Tupou (Nelson Bay), Beau Simpson, Justin Apthorpe, Ainsley Coxsedge (Central), Teason Faavae-eli (Knights), John Arentz (Wagga), Matt Farthing (Port Macquarie).

Losses: Mick O'Shea, Adam Withyman (Cessnock), Tom Freeman (Forster), Steve Lamond (Lakes United), Jay Bolton (Central), Mack Fawcett (Centurions), Peter Ellis (Maitland).

Bottom line: The Lions have had an active off-season in recruitment and look placed to mount one of their best campaigns for the semi-finals in recent years. Matt Shipway and Scott O'Neill will be the key but they could be light up front without Mick O'Shea.

Prediction: 8th

MAITLAND

Last season: 9th (won 5, lost 13)

Premierships: 1933, 1934, 1956-58, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1983

Coach: Noel Dent

Gains: Daniel Metcalfe, Willie Pole'o, Colby Schrader (Cessnock), Jade Porter (Souths), Gavin Quinn, Billy Towers (Central), Peter Ellis (Souths), Dan Randall (Windsor).

Losses: Damien Frize (Cobar), Luke Clydesdale (work), Shane O'Sullivan (knee injury), Luke Gibson (retired), Jamie Battye (retired), Joel Burraston (Centurions).

Bottom line: The late losses of Damien Frize, Luke Clydesdale and Shane O'Sullivan have severely weakened the Pickers' forward pack, placing greater responsibility on the shoulders of Daniel Metcalfe and Vern Moana-Mason. Maitland will struggle against the top sides but could compete for a top-five berth.

Prediction: 6th

LAKES UNITED

Last season: 10th (won 3, lost 15)

Premierships: 1947, 1974, 1975, 1985-87, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2007

Coach: Ian Bourke

Gains: Joel Rawlins, Michael Small (Perth), Matt Campbell (Corrimal), Sam Quinn (Macquarie), Jake Nowlan (Young), Steve Lamond (Souths), Mitch Rodway (overseas), Ben and Ryan Haigh (Central), James Carter (Gulgong).

Losses: Josh Jackson (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ryan O'Connor (Bellingen).

Bottom line: Favourite son Ian Bourke comes back to the Seagulls as coach desperate to return to the heights of 2006-07 when he was player-coach in their grand final victories.

This season will again be a rebuilding one for the financially-embattled Lakes, who have focused on youth to improve on last season's effort.

Prediction: 10th