THE 2008 season starts with teams travelling to all points of the compass.

Ramblers begin their campaign under new coach Simon Pedler with a road trip to Lock to take on the Roos, who also have a new coach in Gavin Griffiths.

United Yeelanna head over the hill to take on reigning premier Tumby Bay at home.

It’s not the start new coach Chris Watson would have wanted, however Tumby will not be at full strength because of suspension and unavailability.

The final game is between Cougars and the resurgent Saints at Cummins in what is probably the match of the round.

Lock v Ramblers, Lock

The Roos will be looking forward to fronting a vulnerable Ramblers first up.

The Magpies are without Simon Pedler, Tyson Mickan and have lost Joel and Kenny Nagel, so will rely heavily on the likes of Holman, ‘Bunga’ Fitzgerald, the Minhard boys, and new recruit Corey Fitzgerald to fly the flag.

Lock, on the other hand, will depend on the usual suspects - Mellor, the Hetzels, Wheare, Halman, Glover, plus a bunch of college kids home on holidays, and with a fit coach and new player Sam Britza, the Roos will probably start favourites on their home ground.

Tumby Bay v United Yeelanna, Tumby Bay

New coach Chris Watson would prefer a different first up game than the reigning premiers at home.

The Blues are not the same side they were last September, they will be missing ex skipper Hunt, Luke and Jay Shannon (the latter playing with the Magpies), Reed and Lunn, but will still be a formidable unit because of the likes of Prime, Coad, Craig Curtis, James plus young guns Cross and Richardson.

United Yeelanna also have their share of losses with L. Hancock, Haylock, McFarlane and Liddle leaving and an early injury to R. Skinner.

Young guns Watson and Cretenden have returned to the club, with new recruits Jameson and Dufek.

Habner, the Jolly boys, Skinner and S. Hancock will be fighting hard but I think Tumby will still have too much size and experience and should win.