Coach: Harmonie Attwill

Last season: Finished first with 34 points, won grand final

Squad news: Attwill has managed to keep the bulk of her squad. The only losses have been midfielder Imogen Tusek and striker Tulia Palozzi but they have recruited attacking player Keea Parrish from the Emerging Jets and midfielder Jade McAtamney from Central Coast Mariners. Key players will again be last year's WPL player of the year Jemma House, defender Sophie O'Brien and midfielders Laura Hall and Keely Gawthrop.

Bottom line: Attwill led Olympic to the premiership-championship double in her first year as a WPL coach and the club's first season in the league. Whether they can achieve the feat again over a 21-round competition is the question but they certainly look like that have the squad capable. House was virtually unstoppable last season and should return even sharper from a W-League season with the Jets.

Prediction: Second

Coach: Jake Curley

Last season: Second (31), lost preliminary final

Squad news: Magic have recruited well, picking up key assets in goalkeeper Alison Logue, striker Ash Brodigan and defender Kirstyn Antoni (nee Pearce), who have all played W-League. They have also added holding midfielder Nadja Squires, who is back after a season out playing AFL, former Young Matildas striker Lucy Kell, who Curley expects to be one to watch this campaign, plus midfielders Anita Handono and Bella Carlisle. They have lost attacking midfielder Gemma Harrison.

Bottom line: A lack of depth and not having an out-and-out striker cost Magic last season but they appear to have no weakness after some key signings in the off-season. The last-minute addition of Logue, who was planning to not play this year, is arguably the signing of the season and can be a game-changer. Proven scorer Brodigan should fill the striker void.

Prediction: First

Coach: Michael Lee

Last season: As Merewether, finished third (30), lost semi-final

Squad news: The losses are big and include goalkeeper Alison Logue, defender Jamee Ellis and Melbourne City W-League striker Rhali Dobson. They also lost defensive midfielder Katy Gray. Pick-ups include midfielder Imogen Tusek and defender Carolina Cacic, from Olympic and Adamstown respectively, teenage goalkeeper Mia McLachlan and midfielder Jess Gentle, who has been playing college football in the United States. Key players will again be striker Lori Depcznyski, midfielder Tamara Nash and Nicki Jones, who will play a more advanced role this year.

Bottom line: They have lost a wealth of talent, so the question will be is there enough experience to still lead them to what at Merewether became a customary finals appearance? Depth could prove an issue if they encounter injuries but, if they can keep a regular starting side, they have enough quality and winning mentality in the group to be successful.

Prediction: Third

Coach: Craig Atkins

Last season: Fourth (25), lost grand final

Squad news: The losses have been limited but they have been big with super striker Jen Hoy, who had made over 100 appearances in National Women's Soccer League, announcing she is unable to play this campaign. The Panthers have also lost attacking player Annika D'Amico due to work commitments but have picked up striker Alannah Russell from the Emerging Jets program. Key players will be captain and midfielder Elodie Dagg plus right-back Sian Keating, who had a stand-out 2020 season.

Bottom line: While they have the advantage of being able to field virtually the same team as the one which gathered momentum as the season wore on last year, will the loss of Jen Hoy prove too great? If they can keep building on last year and find someone else to score a truckload of goals, we are likely to see them come finals time.

Prediction: Fourth

Coach: Michael Grass

Last season: Fifth (19)

Squad news: Losses include last year's strike force of Courtney Anderson, Layni Fens and Jess James plus midfielders Emma Shipperlee and Nikki Learoyd. They have picked up midfielder Kirrilly Hughes, who has been playing college football in the United States. Key players staying on include midfielders Evie Bobilak and Chelsea Hall and goalkeeper Xanthe Parsons, who was a stand-out last year.

Bottom line: They will again be a mobile and fit side but losing so many first-grade players from last season will make it tough. Expect them to find their rhythm as the season goes on and cause some upsets but finals may be too big an ask.

Prediction: Eighth

Coach: Ryan Campbell

Last season: Sixth (17)

Squad news: The loss of defensive midfielder Emma Bates is a big one. She was Rosebud's leading scorer last year with six goals, mostly from the set piece. They have picked up centre-back Jemma Lawson from Warners Bay and holding midfielder Ellyse Lynch from Central Coast Mariners but otherwise remain relatively the same. Key players again will be versatile Ellen Hughes, who played in a front three last year but is likely to be used more in the midfield this campaign, left-back Leia Puxty and senior players Jorjia Hogg and Olivia Sneddon.

Bottom line: They will again be a well-drilled side but will need a dominant striker if they want to challenge for a finals position. Experienced goalkeeper Olivia Sneddon is key. When she was injured for several games last campaign, Rosebud struggled to win a game. If they can hit the competition flying and pick up some early results and build confidence and momentum, we may see them come finals time. If not, we won't.

Prediction: Sixth

Coach: Greg Lowe

Last season: Seventh (seven)

Squad news: The Eagles have experienced a huge turnover of players and new coach Greg Lowe is virtually starting afresh. Key players retained include former W-League striker Adriana Jones, young gun Macy Anthony, who plays out wide, and centre-back Serena Carter. Key pick-ups include former Jets defender Brooke Miller and winger/fullback Nina Collins, both from Central Coast Mariners, plus midfielder Georgia Minors, who returns after a couple of seasons off.

Bottom line: Adriana Jones has the ability to single-handedly tear teams apart but will need good service and to build confidence with some early goals. Hard to say how this team will go given so many new faces.

Prediction: Seventh

Coach: Keelan Hamilton

Last season: As Thornton, finished last (0)

Squad news: Key players who have been retained from Thornton include forward Taleah Mountford, midfielder Ainsley Childs, goalkeeper Danielle Redding and striker Madison Gallegos, who will be used as a central defender for Maitland. Key pick-ups include striker Sophie Stapleford and centre-back Kaitlin Radstaak from New Lambton and forward Bronte Peel from the Jets Academy.

Bottom line: Hamilton will have his side well-drilled and ready to hit the ground running. As a new side the Magpies will have an X-factor about them. A few early results under their belt will go a long way to setting them up for a strong season. Their attack looks to have the potential to be quite lethal.

Prediction: Fifth

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