CLUTHA
Coach: Ben Keach.
Last year: Beaten semifinalists.
Players to watch: Kael Merrett, Tate Colley, Sam Stratford, Dallas Kupa-Pickering.
The oil: Clutha have a young and determined side who are building towards their 150th jubilee next season. Injuries to key players mean numbers are initially light. Forward pack will be strong at the set piece and their backline will enjoy the front-foot ball. Experienced winger Ropini Fesilafai returns and will be a danger in open space.
Predicted finish: Finalists.
CLUTHA VALLEY
Coach: Josh Botting.
Last year: Champions/
Players to watch: Damian Wilson, David Matsas, Jordan Willocks, Logan Wilson.
The oil: The defending champions have endured a reasonably rough preseason with player numbers less than ideal. They have lost some key players who led the charge last season, especially in the halves with Jared Edwards and Thomas Johnson not in the picture. Valley are also missing loose forward Liam Turnbull, who has defected to West Taieri. There is still plenty to like about this Valley side, but they have their work cut out for them this season.
Predicted finish: Bottom five.
WEST TAIERI
Coach: Blake Prince.
Last year: Runners-up.
Players to watch: Ethan Hippolite, Conor Lawson, Callum Smeaton, Cooper Keach.
The oil: West Taieri celebrate their 125th jubilee this season and have hit the ground running. Two wins over highly rated opposition in the preseason have boosted confidence. The forward pack is again their strength. The deadly boot of Callum Smeaton will keep them in the right areas of the field and the backline will score some well-constructed tries.
Predicted finish: Champions.
OWAKA
Coach: Cameron Burgess.
Last year: Bottom five champions.
Players to watch: Daniel Miller, Tom Fraser, Sene Te’o, Riley Lambert.
The oil: Player numbers had everyone on high alert at Swamp Hen Park during the preseason. Owaka managed to get a squad together but seem to be running on a skeleton crew with minimal depth in key positions. Their forward pack will again be a strength. Keep an eye out for Sene Te’o in the midfield who is set to have a breakout season.
Predicted finish: Bottom five.
CLINTON
Coach: Mark Wells.
Last year: In the pack.
Players to watch: Ben Witt, Callum Maze, Jimmy Sinclair, Brayden Campbell.
The oil: Clinton’s young side showed glimpses of brilliance last season and if they can produce this more regularly then the world is their oyster. The issue s depth in key positions. Four significant preseason injuries to front-rowers and first fives have left Clinton extremely short. There is no doubt that Clinton can win games this season, but whether they are ready to make a step up into finals contention is yet to be seen.
Predicted finish: Bottom five.
LAWRENCE
Coach: Logan Bain.
Last year: Bottom five finalists.
Players to watch: Jake Lyders, Sam Wyber, Oscar Goodlet, Caleb Kitto.
The oil: Lawrence have hit the ground running with some high-octane performances. The confidence is high, and Lawrence will be looking to build on their positive finish in 2024. They have recruited well and, if the squad stay fit, they definitely have the ability to push for finals footy this season.
Predicted finish: Semifinalists.
CRESCENT
Coach: Jamahl Little.
Last year: Beaten semifinalists.
Players to watch: Oceania Ioane, Callum Craik, Chase Owen, Ethan Edwards.
The oil: Crescent have slipped under the radar this preseason but have been training longer than any other side, and they will be eager to get back on the field after a disappointing finish to the 2024 season. Their squad remains strong despite some players shifting down the road to Clutha. Crescent’s forward pack will put in the hard yards while their backline will look to create magic under the leadership of Otago Country skipper Chase Owen.
Predicted finish: Semifinalists.
HERIOT
Coach: Craig Stanway.
Last year: Wooden spoon.
Players to watch: Tyson Adams, Ben Millar, Logan Cornish, Jack Blair.
The oil: Heriot are celebrating 140 years of rugby, the players have been grafting well throughout the preseason and numbers look to be healthy and committed. Heriot’s disappointing 2024 season will give them added motivation to prove their ability this season. Could cause plenty of headaches for teams but are they top-four ready? Perhaps not this season.
Predicted finish: Bottom five.
TOKO
Coaches: Josh Harrex and Dylan Bungard.
Last year: In the pack.
Players to watch: Keegan Ferguson, Ethan Harrex, Daine Lowery, Teimana Rewita.
The oil: Toko celebrate their 125th jubilee this season and their new coaches have instilled a sense of togetherness and a fresh gameplan that seems to have everyone feeling optimistic about the season. Toko have a big squad but have lost some key players to injury already. The Axemen have the potential to be playing finals footy in their jubilee year, but can they put it all together when it matters?
Predicted finish: Bottom five.
