BERWICK

In: James Davies (UK), Rod Mead (Bayswater), Rohan Purkiss (Ormond), Cam McDonnell (St Marys). Out: Alex Roberts (Springvale South), Brad Molineux (unavailable), Ryan Crawford (knee injury)

The skinny: The red-hot premiership favourites crashed and burned last season. It wasnt pretty. Paul Evans takes over as skipper after filling in for the injured Will Carr in the latter part of last summer. Gavan Wills will play as well as coach. The Wicks have James Davies returning after a few seasons away. Last season he was the player of the year in the Ringwood competition and will add all-round strength to the Wicks. Mead is a big bodied, strong opening bowler and Purkiss, the son of club stalwart Ray, an opening bat. Carr will miss the early part of the season with his ongoing elbow injury but will play when fully fit. Dont underestimate the Wicks: they will be right back amongst it after the hiccup of the previous season.

Prediction: 6th

BUCKLEY RIDGES

In: Paul Franks (UK), David Wheeler (Narre Warren), Shane Simpson (Narre Warren). Out: Will Butler (UK), Anthony Clark-Bruce (Springvale South)

The skinny: What a get by the Ridges. Former England international Paul Franks will have his mail delivered to the Postage Stamp. Franks is the signing of the summer. The former England Under 19 vice-captain is a fast medium bowler and hard hitting left-hand bat. He should find the Stamp to his liking. Wheeler and Simpson return home after leaving Narre Warren and will add further oomph to the Ridges. Wookey Medallist Will Butler wont return due to business and family commitments and Clark-Bruce, like everyone, has headed to Springvale South. The Ridges just missed the finals last time out and anything less than a finals appearance will be a failure.

Prediction: 3rd

COOMOORA

In: Liam Coates (UK), Niall Mortimer (Cheltenham), Luke Wenke, Jason Basic. Out: Jimmy King, Matt Wenke, Dylan Fernandesz (all Springvale South), Rizan Mawzoon (Noble Park)

The skinny: The Roos have been decimated by the departure of arguably their four best players. It is impossible to replace their ability and experience but the Roos are hoping the appointment of the Roger Young as non-playing coach and DDCA under 21 star Robbie Johnston as skipper will see the club head in a youthful resurgence. Young has coached at Glen Iris and Mount Waverley and has an impressive knowledge of the game. Coates is a full-time Durham cricket academy rookie who bats at the top of the list and bowls right arm mediums. He is said to be an unbelievable fielder. Niall Mortimer comes across from Cheltenham and Luke Wenke and Basic will both play after missing last season. It will be hard to compete against the very best but Coomoora will fight to remain in the top flight.

Prediction: 11th

DOVETON

In: Mandura Werasighe (Sri Lanka), Liam Roache (North Melbourne), Luke Downe, David Dawson, Clint Wilson. Out: nil.

The skinny: The Doves played in finals for the first time in their history last summer and will again be one of the powers. There are no subtractions from the list with the addition being Werasighe, a leg-spinner and capable bat. Werasighe represented Sri Lanka in the Under 19 World Cup and has played first-class cricket in his homeland. With a strong batting line-up, a well balanced attack, a good leader and the belief garnered last season, the Doves should again be one of the sides to beat.

Prediction: 4th

HALLAM

In: James Hawley (UK). Out: Mark Houiex (Retired), Lee Brown (Hawthorn Monash Uni), Matt Brooks (Hawthorn Monash Uni).

The skinny: The Hawks missed the finals by losing on the last day of the season. Young offie Lee Brown will be hard to replace and with veteran Mark Houiex retiring from first grade the bowling seems a little thin. Maybe the Hawks can get more overs out of Steve Chapman to cover the shortfall. UK recruit Hawley, who bowls fast mediums, will take over from Houiex. The batting will again rely on Lee and Corey Booth and Chapman to get big scores, with Nick Cox to build through the middle-order. The Hawks will make good totals but wickets could be a problem.

Prediction: 8th

KEYSBOROUGH

In: Andre Peters (Hallam), Mushy Perera, David Labrooy (Oakleigh). Out: nil

The skinny: The Burras were the luckiest side in the competition last year. They finished last in every category other than the ladder (second last) where it sat bottom for all but one week. DDCA journeyman Andre Peters takes over as captain-coach at his fourth DDCA club. Peters is a fine batsman but he will need a mountain of runs and help from his other batsmen. Mushy Perera heads back to the Burra after missing last year through injury. It is rumoured that Perera will bring a fellow left-arm tweaker with him. Last years captain Paul McDonald is unavailable in the early rounds but the club remains hopeful he will be back before Christmas. Club champion Andrew Chapman has given a commitment to play First XI. Another long summer is the tip here but the additions of Peters and Perera should be enough to keep it afloat.

Prediction: 10th

MORDIALLOC

In: Brent Ernst (Maranatha Methodist), Luke Manders (East Sandringham), Andrew Taylor (UK), Nick Connellan, Leon Kennedy. Out: nil

The skinny: The Turf 2 premiers step up to the big time after only three short summers in the DDCA, a fantastic achievement. The Bloodhounds have quietly added to their premiership team, bringing in some good players. Brent Ernst coming from Maranatha Methodist as captain-coach the side. Ernst churned out a lazy 533 runs in Turf 2 last time out. Star allrounder Luke Manders heads south from the comforts of East Sandringham, spinner Nick Connellan and batsman Leon Kennedy return, and UK paceman Andrew Taylor adds more edge to an attack headed by the champion all-rounder Travis Campbell. The jump is massive from Turf 2 to Turf 1 and the Bloodhounds may need a summer to acclimatise. But, look out, they could surprise a lot of clubs. Prediction: 7th