Also, catch-up on the pre-season recruits:

BROADMEADOW

COACH: Ruben Zadkovich. 2018: 2nd (grand final winners). LOSSES: Shane Paul (retired), Dino Fajkovic (South Cardiff), Charles Cox, Sam Webb (Lakes), Takumi Sunada. GAINS: Kristian Brymora (Hässleholms), Ryan Ensor (Wollongong), Jarred Baker (Jaffas).

Magic showed their quality in 2018 with a 3-0 grand final win over Edgeworth and a first round-of-16 appearance in the FFA Cup, but the distant second in the NPL season stung. The loss of ball-winner Paul should not be underestimated but former Jets striker Brymora is coming off professional stints in Sweden and England, and Ensor is a quality addition in midfield. KEY: Focus: Magic have depth and class but they have dropped too many points to lower-table teams.

EDGEWORTH

COACH: Damian Zane. 2018: 1st (grand finalists). LOSSES: Lachlan Pasquale, Jamie Byrnes (Charlestown), Bailey Garland. GAINS: Oliver Smith (Nunawading), Daniel Fabrizio (Belconnen), Josh Cairelli (Jets Youth), Aden Gardner (Charlestown), Callum Bower (Weston).

Eyeing a record-equalling fifth straight premiership, the Eagles have upped the ante with interstate attackers Fabrizio and Smith. Daniel McBreen (foot) will be missing early but the attack should still be strong. Their rock-solid defence, winning mentality and consistency will again put them in the mix. KEY: Attack: The defence will be excellent again, but the new-look attack is the unknown. 

MAITLAND

COACH: Michael Bolch. 2018: 3rd. LOSSES: Matt Comerford (injured), Adam Duggan (Lakes), Chris Fayers, Josh Dutton-Black (overseas). GAINS: Joel Wood (Valentine), Tom Davies (Hamilton), Ryan Broadley (year off).

A tough, experienced side, the Magpies have added quality all over the park and their departures played only half of last season anyway. Attacking livewire Comerford, though, is a major loss after having a surprise knee operation. KEY: Goals: Comerford topped their scoring last year with eight in 12 games, making Wood a crucial signing. 

HAMILTON

COACH: Peter McGuinness. 2018: 5th. LOSSES: Tom Davies (Maitland), Jacob Bailey (Valentine), Simon Mooney, Leo Bertos (retired), Daniel Eisenhauer (Adamstown), Blake Green, Stuart Musialik. GAINS: Marcus Duncan (Jaffas), Reece Pettit (Valentine), Ren Fukumoto, Shinichi Kawachi (Japan), Musa Kamara (APIA), Jez Murray, Beau McDonald, Jakob Cresnar.

With mass changes last year under new coach McGuinness, it took Olympic a while to click but they finished strongly to just miss the finals. Bertos and Davies were consistent performers and will be missed but Olympic have recruited well, especially in defence, and have depth, youth and speed. KEY: Cohesion: A slow start was costly last year and they again have several new faces. 

LAMBTON JAFFAS

COACH: James Pascoe. 2018: 4th. LOSSES: Joel Griffiths, Ryan Griffiths, Jobe Wheelhouse, Ridge Mapu (retired), Marcus Duncan (Hamilton), Ben Hay (Valentine), Jarrod Baker (Magic). GAINS: Will McFarlane (Western Pride), Brock Messenger, James Pendrigh (Canterbury NZ), Andrew Pawiak (Hume), Josh Sutton (Belswans), Isaac Sefo (Jets 18s).

The losses on paper look enormous but the Jaffas still have a quality roster, including Luke Remington and Braedyn Crowley, and their recruits appear promising. Messenger and Pendrigh will miss at least the first month, but it will not surprise to see Lambton push late for silverware. KEY: Leadership: Wheelhouse and the Griffiths brothers leave a huge hole and Jaffas will need a few to show the way. 

CHARLESTOWN

COACH: David Tanchevski. 2018: 6th. LOSSES: Ljubo Milicevic, Danny Ireland (retired), Daniel Minors (Lakes), Aden Gardner (Edgeworth), Daniel Ott (work). GAINS: Nathan Archbold (Brisbane Strikers), Lachlan Pasquale (Edgeworth), Max Vegter (Terrigal).

The Blues led after nine rounds last year but faded as injuries hit. Gun striker Kane Goodchild played only 10 games and Milicevic and Ireland were gone mid-season. Still, they missed the finals by just one win. They could easily push higher with better luck on the injury front. KEY: Fitness: The Blues need to keep their best line-up on the field consistently. If they do, anything is possible. 

LAKE MACQUARIE

COACH: Nick Webb. 2018: 8th. LOSSES: Tom Sparre (work), Paul Sichalwe (overseas). GAINS: Daniel Minors (Charlestown), Sam Webb, Tyson Cummings, Charles Cox, Wade Southall, Jayden Barber (Magic), Adam Duggan (Maitland), Josh Dwyer (Cessnock).

With player of the year Sam Walker up top, the Roosters had no trouble scoring goals last season, but their defence was vulnerable. They have brought in young talent, especially from Magic, to improve depth and they loom as most likely to rise from the bottom five on last year's table. KEY: Defence: Lakes proved a dangerous counter-attacking side last year but need to keep more out to make finals. 

WESTON

COACH: Kew Jaliens. 2018: 9th. LOSSES: Brock Oakley (Valentine), Kane Runge (Dandenong), Callum Bower (Edgeworth), Josh Maguire, Jake Barner, Sam Ford, Regan Payne, Tega Marcus, Kew Jaliens. GAINS: Zac Sneddon, Scott Carter (Valentine), Robbie Turnbull (Adamstown), Liam Wilson (Mariners Youth), Sam and Jack Kamper (Dandenong), Jason Tjien-Fooh (Netherlands), Kaleb Cox, Tristan Esquilant (Jets Youth).

Jaliens has added new and old faces to his squad after taking over from Steve Piggott. Sneddon and Turnbull return as part of an even new mix of youth and experience. KEY: Consistency: The Bears had wins over Maitland and Magic last year but lost twice to last-placed Valentine. 

JETS YOUTH

COACH: Labinot Haliti. 2018: 7th. LOSSES: Kaleb Cox, Tristan Esquilant (Weston), Kosta Petratos (age), Cai Tipaldo (Brisbane), Josh Cairelli (Edgeworth). GAINS: Sam Donnellan, Bailey Wells, Joe Langlois, Brodie Volkiene (promoted), Mat Barkho (SD Raiders).

The Jets have changed little since their NYL campaign and again should be dangerous, especially with a fitness edge early in the season. KEY: Motivation: Development is the focus for the Jets, who can't feature in finals. 

ADAMSTOWN

COACH: Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. 2018: 10th. LOSSES: Robbie Turnbull (Weston). GAINS: Tallan Martin (Thornton), Manoli Papas (Lakes), Josh Williams (Maitland), Daniel Eisenhauer, Drew Grierson (Hamilton).

With a team built largely on under 20s talent, Rosebud caused a few upsets in 2018, including a win over Edgeworth. Their young, stable roster should be better again. KEY: Discipline: Red cards last year hurt Adamstown who showed plenty of heart. 

VALENTINE

COACHES: Darren Sills, Sam Griffin. 2018: 11th. LOSSES: Reece Pettit (Hamilton), Zac Sneddon, Scott Carter (Weston), Joel Wood (Maitland), Wilson Edwards, Aaron Niyonkuru. GAINS: Jacob Bailey (Hamilton), Ben Hay (Jaffas), Brock Oakley (Weston), Jordan Harrison (Adamstown), Brenton Olzomer.

Coming off a horror year, Valentine have tried to recover on the recruitment front but it's a long way back. KEY: Belief: Phoenix were a better side than they showed in 2018 but missed chances early dented their confidence.