Round one of the 2016 Group Six rugby league premiership begins this Saturday, April 2 when Oakdale welcomes The Oaks to Sid Sharpe Oval.
Picton head to Thirlmere Sportsground for a meeting with the Roosters, Camden will go to Narellan to take on the Jets, and Moss Vale will be on the road when they face off with neighbours Mittagong Lions.
With nine clubs participating in first grade, there will be a bye each weekend, with Campbelltown first cab off the rank this weekend in round one.
The Kangaroos are scheduled to play a trial against Corrimal at Fullwood Park this Sunday.
A tough and tight competition is expected over 18 rounds in 2016, says MIKE SHEAN, who casts an eye on this year’s participants and their chances of carrying off the main prize:
Picton will be the pronounced favourites, after their demolition of Camden in the grand final last September at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Magpies have retained most of their players from 2015, and will be short priced favourites to make it four straight titles come September this year.
The chasing pack will be headed by Camden, who will be out to atone for their Grand Final loss. The Rams will notice the loss of front rower Ray Cashmere to Campbelltown City, and will need to cover that loss to have any chance of finals football.
The Rams faithful will be disappointed if they don’t reach the finals, but the chasers will be confident they can keep the Rams in check and press them during the year.
The Oaks Tigers, who were the big improvers and surprise packets in 2015, will be looking to continue that form in 2016. The Tigers haven’t made big noises in the off season, and could again be the dark horse of the competition.
Narellan will also be a team to watch in 2016, with the Jets recruiting smartly in the off-season, and will be a definite threat if they can keep a fit team on the park throughout the season.
The Jets are confident they can deliver a title chase for the Jets’ fans, who will be hoping for more of the same from the 2015 season.
Mittagong were unlucky to miss out on the finals last year, with a narrow loss in Round 18 to Picton ensuring they watched the finals from the grandstands.
The Lions have made some smart signings over summer, and will again be one of those teams who will be close to finals action, if they’re not involved.
Moss Vale will be keen to continue their good form from 2015. The Dragons have also recruited well, including Englishman Ethan Kelly, and coach Robbie Payne will be looking for a more consistent effort from his Dragons this season.
Thirlmere have also made changes during the off-season, and will be looking for an improved effort on the park.
With a young roster again this year, consistency will be a key word for the Roosters, and if they can find it, they can certainly prove to be a handful for many oppositions during the year.
Campbelltown City will believe they can make a genuine charge for the finals, especially with the recruitment of Ray Cashmere from Camden in the off-season.
Cashmere will add some steel to the Roos pack, and the experience will see Drew Dalton’s men become a real threat, if they can string wins together.
Oakdale will be looking to record more wins in 2016, as the Workers try to reclaim their form which saw them reach the finals in recent years.
It will be tough for the Workers, but they will believe they can climb off the bottom of the ladder.
