Jeff Allport begins a second season in charge at Terry Reserve, and will be looking to repeat the White Eagles’ triumphant end to 2016. Albion Park had a fairly ordinary start to the 2016 campaign, sitting mid-table with just 13 points from the first 10 Rounds, but then their extraordinary run began, with 29 points from the next 12 games and a fantastic Finals run, culminating in victory at the WIN Stadium on Grand Finals day. It’s a prime example of how to turn a season around, and will give many teams hope this season.

Players to watch

George Naylor Medal winner for 2016 - Shohei Okuno, has returned to the White Eagles squad. A playmaker and goal scorer in his own right, Okuno teamed up superbly in 2016 with two Japanese compatriots, who have now left the White Eagles. Allport has brought in two replacements, though, so if Hikawu Kawasakiya and Tashiro Yosuke take up where the others left off, this will be a formidable trio.

Two other interesting new signings are Jeremy Lopez, who was a regular with the Wollongong Wolves under-18s last season, and Allport’s son Boden, who was a mainstay with the Wolves under-20s in 2016, but also got a couple of starts with the Wolves First Grade in the NPL towards the end of the season.

The White Eagles’ strength starts at the back, though, with Peter Prandalos and Mark Every leading the way and not afraid to push forward when the opportunity arises. With Vaughan Patterson in front of the back line, the White Eagles are a tough team to get past.

Season expectation

Expectations will be high at Terry Reserve, and the return of Okuno is an enormous boost for the side. They are surely a banker for a Finals spot at the end of the season, and they may well improve on their 3^rd spot ladder finish in 2016. But my prediction is for another 3^rd place in 2017, and no room for complacency as defeat to Corrimal in the pre-season Fraternity Cup showed the White Eagles can be downed.