Albion Park where exceptional in 2018 with the side lifting the league, grand final and State Cup treble while University and Woonona ran second and third while showing plenty of ability and potential.

Further down the table, Russell Vale capped off the season with an Over 30s Champion of Champions win while Balgownie Rangers and Thirroul Thunderbirds laid foundations for the years ahead.

With the action set to kick off on Sunday, let’s go through what to expect from each side in 2019.

Albion Park

Last season - 1st - 18 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses - 54 points

Opening fortnight - University (H), Thirroul (A)

Albion Park won 20 straight matches to claim the local double while also lifting their third consecutive State Cup in 2018. The only match they didn’t win was the Champion of Champions final where they lost 2-1 to Dunbar Rovers ending a 59-match winning streak.

Richard Davis side remain the team to beat despite losing Rylee Mcgartland to Aussie Rules and goalkeeper Aleisha Chessell, however, they have made two exciting pickups in teenagers Eliza Cowan and Grace Lockard with the latter to feature between the sticks.

Park took out last weekend’s Bonnie Lassie Cup and despite labouring at times it is still impossible to label a team with the likes of Michelle Foscarini, Brittany Ring and Tenaya Davis as anything but favourites.

Prediction - 1st

Balgownie Rangers

Last season - 5th - 6 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses - 23 points

Opening fortnight - Kiama Quarriers (A), Fernhill Foxes (H)

Balgownie were a puzzling outfit in 2018 with a number of positive results against teams above them and some concerning defeats to teams below them ultimately seeing the side miss out on the finals by two points.

Earle Canvin returns for a second season at the helm and he has indicated he will continue to rely on the youthful core of last season which should naturally improve this coming campaign.

Balgownie were impressive in the Bonnie Lassie Cup where they overcame four first division sides to reach the final before losing 1-0 to Albion Park - a commendable result given they played the entire match with 10 players.

Expect the Rangers to step up this season with the likes of Courtney Riordan and Rikki-Lee Wardle leading the way.

4th

Fernhill Foxes

Last season - 7th - 4 wins, 2 draws, 12 losses - 14 points

Opening fortnight - Thirroul (H), Balgownie Rangers (A)

Fernhill only managed to pick up four wins in 2018, however, their standout result was actually a defeat when they lost 5-3 against Albion Park where they became the first side since 2016 to score three goals against Park.

Rebecca Manwarring who injured her ACL last season moves from the goal mouth to the dugout and she will coach alongside club stalwart Peter Thompson. Fernhill have had a few players return to the club including Alice Kerkham (who was with the team when they were a part of UOWFC) and she will be expected to add some spark to the Foxes midfield, however, the departure of defender Kate Sebben could prove a big loss.

They play Thirroul first up this season, a side they beat three times in 2018, a defeat there could indicate a tough season for the Ray Robinson Field based side. Unfortunately, taliswoman Emi Skopal will miss the match due to an ankle injury which could keep her out until Easter.

8th

Kiama Quarriers

Last season - 4th - 8 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses - 25 points

Opening fortnight - Balgownie Rangers (H), Russell Vale Blacks (A)

Kiama held on to fourth spot in 2018 despite only one win in their final four matches with a 5-1 defeat to Woonona in the minor semi final is a sign they just weren’t able to match it with the top three sides.

Umberto Sorrentino remains as coach and he has said he is content with his side’s lead up to the season including a few trial matches and a quarter final finish in the Bonnie Lassie Cup.

There have been a few ins and out for the Quarriers but they have retained key players including attacking threat Katie French, captain Brooke Perkiss and goalkeeper Megan Blanch though she is set to miss the opening weeks of the season through a shoulder injury.

Kiama are top four contenders.

5th

Russell Vale

Last season - 6th - 5 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses - 19 points

Opening fortnight - Woonona Sharks (A), Kiama Quarriers (H)

Russell Vale finished firmly in mid-table last season with a side full of local league and NPL veterans who went on to lift the Over 30s Champion of Champions.

The reality is the Vale are a social side who get by on natural talent and when everyone is available they have quite a group to pick from including the likes of Frances and Kathleen Halloway, Taryn Ruiz and Camille Augustyn.

Jasmin Pearce is a significant out though they have picked up a few local players including Karina Bell and Jacoda Links from Fernhill.

Russell Vale could put scores on sides but consistency isn’t something people should expect from them this season.

7th

Thirroul Thunderbirds

Last season - 8th - 2 wins, 1 draw, 15 losses - 7 points

Opening fortnight - Fernhill Foxes (A), Albion Park (H)

Thirroul finished seven points adrift at the bottom in 2018, however, wins over the likes of Kiama and Balgownie indicate there is potential in this inexperienced side.

One person who has a strong track record with youth is John Cropper who takes the reins in 2019. He replaces Tina Siskoska who will leave a sizable hole in terms of her experience as a player. Cropper has coached men’s youth football for a number of years and in 2016 and 2017 he helped the Thunderbirds Women’s Youth League side reach back-to-back Champion of Champions finals.

Cropper has set top four as an objective and a Bonnie Lassie semi finals appearance suggests that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. They face Fernhill in round one where they are set to field a squad with a number of players promoted from the WYL side with only three players over 20-years-old.

6th

University

Last season - 2nd - 11 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses - 35 points

Opening fortnight - Albion Park (A), Woonona Sharks (H)

A youthful University finished well clear of third last season and were competitive losers in the grand final and natural development should see the side improve in 2019. While they accounted for everyone else in the league, Uni had a complex with Albion Park who beat them 24-2 over five matches.

Brod Crighton continues as coach and he has retained a core of the players who took the side to last year’s grand final including golden boot winner Kristen Gorgieski. The teenager who scored 21 goals last year will have a new strike partner in Sarah Rech from Yerrinbool-Bargo while other signings with NPL experience include fullback Jordan Rean, centreback Bella Walker and goalkeeper Hannah Farrugia who will replace the departed Grace Lockard.

The Unicorns will be looking to kick on in 2019 and they have a perfect chance to prove themselves in the round one grand final replay at Terry Reserve.

2nd

Woonona Sharks

Last season - 3rd - 8 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses - 29 points

Opening fortnight - Russell Vale Black (H), University (A)

Woonona never looked at any stage as if they would miss out on the top four last season with the side eventually running third and falling a match short of the grand final.

The Sharks finished six points off University who they had three close matches with over the course of the season but inconsistency in front of goal cost Mick Sutton’s side in a number of games they were expected to win.

They have gone a long way in addressing that this season with the signing of Jasmine Pearce who scored 19 goals in 2017 with then contenders Tarrawanna. They have also had a number of players return which will bolster an already solid squad.

They have lost the likes of Khalia Rasch and Kate Stewart while seasoned Shark Kelsey Clements may not get on the park due to a shoulder injury sustained in mid-2018.

Woonona performed well in the Bonnie Lassie Cup, only going out at the semi final stage via a late Albion Park goal. Given that showing and a few solid pickups, the Sharks are a serious chance of contending for silverware but the lack of a recognised goalkeeper is a concern.

3rd

Preview by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

Photo by Pedro Garcia