Season preview: Who will win Newcastle championship netball as competition heats up in 2022?

Coach: Tracey van Dal

Last season: First (33 points)

Squad news: Souths have had limited personnel changes and are lining up as a force to be reckoned with again. The only loss is midcourter Zoe Peden, who has earned selection in the NSW Swifts Academy. Key players will include attacker Danielle Taylor, who was impressive in a return from injury last season, and circle defender Georgia King.

Comment: "We're aware there is a target on our back and the girls just have to rise to the next level. Our big focus this year is not being predictable," van Dal said.

Coach: Tracey Baggs

Last season: Second (31)

Squad news: They have been a dominant force since joining the league, winning three straight championships from 2017-19 but have suffered somewhat in the past two seasons due to restrictions on NSW Premier League and Metro players. It looks likely to be their biggest stumbling block again with the squad staying the same. Wests are still without experienced centre Sophie Buckley, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in July last year.

Comment: "I'm still feeling confident, mostly because our playing group has stayed fairly steady for the past three years. It will just be a week-to-week headache in who you can put out on court," Baggs said.

Coach: Traci Baber

Last season: Third (29)

Squad news: Inconsistency proved University's downfall last year but Baber says the squad has been working hard in pre-season with a focus on success. Midcourt player Kim Williams has relocated for work and is a loss, as will be the retirement of wing attack Rian O'Hara. Keely Mullins is back to boost the defence after two injury-interrupted years. They have lost goal attack Erin Asquith to Nova but have picked up Abbie Gray (Thunder) in her place.

Comment: "We are absolutely aiming to win," Baber said.

Coach: Laura Glendenning

Last season: Fourth (27)

Squad news: Former national league midcourt player Katie Robinson has taken a step back from coaching and playing and goal shooter Brooke Fennings is also a loss. Defender Laura Glendenning returns from having a baby and has also taken on the coaching role. Key pick-ups include Asquith and Lucy Geise. Geise, Asquith and Caity Lobston should form a formidable combination in the attack end. Maddy Dunn returns from injury and will control the midcourt.

Comment: "I think our combinations are going to be nice this year and there will be a good spread of the old and young heads, which will hopefully make us a bit more consistent across the court." Glendenning said.

Coach: Helen Grogan

Last season: Fifth (23)

Squad news: Inner Glow battled well again last year, producing some strong performances in their second season. They have lost Sara Gilbert from the defence end and midcourters Jessika Christensen (injury) and Jess Jennings. Inner Glow have recruited Emma Dumbrill in midcourt and defenders Charlie Carroll and Lauren Henry. How quickly the new players jell with the established ones could prove key to success.

Comment: "We came close to three of the top-four teams last year and they definitely want to make top four," Inner Glow president Jessika Christensen said.

Coach: Rachel Gardner

Last season: Sixth (21)

Squad news: There have been a couple of big losses for the Tigers. Goal attack Kate Jenkins has moved away for work and wing defence Lexi Petersen sustained a season-ending Achilles injury last weekend. Defenders Emily Taylor and Jacqui Hawthorne and shooter Annika Lawrence have been promoted from Kotara South's opens side.

Comment: "There is a lot of talent in the squad but it's just about finding connections and consistency," Gardner said.

Coach: Peta White

Last season: Seventh (15)

Squad news: Junction continue to be in a rebuilding phase and will have a range of young talent on show this year. Last year their 23s side only lost one game on the way to securing top spot in their division, and a number of those players have been given the opportunity to step up. They include centre Holly Cooper and goal shooter Jorja Brown.

Comment: "We've got a really strong, young, new-look team and we're really excited to get going," 23s coach and opens player Kirsty Allan said.

Coach: Victoria Aoake

Last season: Last (12)

Squad news: Lauren Baxter, who has played NSW Premier League with Central Coast 23s, came in towards the end of last season and remains on board to bring added experience into the midcourt and shooting end. Emma Rumbel's addition strengthens the defence and Orange product Charlotte Penny should prove handy in the midcourt.

Comment: "There's good experience across the court this year and we're aiming for a bit more consistency throughout the season," Aoake said.

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