So what does the 2019 edition have in store for us?

Sports editor Courtney Ward analyses how all 10 first grade teams are shaping up going into the new season, while making his fearless predictions.

We will start at the top with the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles and run alphabetically through to the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas.

Coach: Gary Breakspear.

2018 finish: Missed finals.

Additions: Luke Patten, Brent Wake, Rod Coates, James Duncan and James Scott.

Losses: Dylan Lucas, George Campbell and Paul Bell.

X-Factor: Jayden Harris/Dallas Harrison.

Prospects

The name that jumps off the page is Luke "General" Patten, who brings nearly 340 games worth of first grade experience to the nest.

He is no doubt a massive signing for the club and one of the bigger ones Group Seven have seen in recent years.

However, as good as the former NSW Country custodian will be with the Eagles, both from a leadership and structural point of view, it's hard to pin all your hopes on a 39-year-old, who last played in 2012 with the Salford Red Devils, which means the side will need more players to step up if they are to make finals in 2019.

Last year promised so much, especially after the young Eagles fought back to defeat the Lions at Michael Cronin Oval last season, but it will be interesting to see if this group can continue to progress in year two of Breakspear's tenure.

At this stage, it appears the two young starting halves at the end of last season, Dylan Lucas and Jake Brisbane, won't be part of the squad, meaning the keys to the Eagles will be entrusted to the likes of James Duncan and James Scott, which leave me a bit sceptical.

In saying that, I'm very excited to see what players like Kane Ball, Jack Walsh, Jayden Harris and Dallas Harrison can do in the top grade, with their electric pace and those x-factors.

The Eagles' forward pack, not to be overshadowed are, led by one of the best young players in the competition in Josh Sainsbury, who finished in the top five of voting for last year's Michael Cronin Medal.

The lock is an absolute workhorse in the middle of the park and if he receives support from players like Jack Scurr, Rodney Coates and Sione Lufe, I'm sure the Park will lay the necessary platform for their dangerous wide man to succeed.

Prediction: No semi-final football.

Coach: Jayson Smith.

2018 finish: Missed finals.

Additions: Ty Cloos and Jimmy Sweeney.

Losses: Josh Coulter and Bill Ryder.

X-Factor: Blake Dryden.

Prospects:

The 2018 season was a year of missed opportunities for the Magpies.

A handful of occasions, such as against Milton-Ulladulla and Warilla-Lake South, they appeared destined to record much needed victories.

However, their inability to play the full 80 minutes cost them big leads and inevitability cost them the two points of both occasions.

This consistency is one of the main areas new coach Jayson Smith, who takes over from Luke Ryder, has addressed during his first pre-season at the Berry Showground.

Although the return from injury of Sam Burns, coupled with the ever-dependable Blake Dryden, who is the new first grade skipper, Josh Ingold, Joe Rogers, Luke Ryder and Jack Parrish add a lot a stability to this young squad, I still feel as though the 2019 could be a long one for the black and white.

The loss of arguably their best player Josh Coulter can not be underestimated, with the damaging ball-runner making the tough decision to take his talents back to his junior club, the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets.

Without Coulter creating headaches for the opposition's outside backs, Smith is going to rely on young blokes like Blygh Herron and Brent Marando. Under 18s players Billy Hayburn, Charlie and Ollie Parrish and Ky Sims, if given the chance, could be ready to step up.

This might be great for their development and future success of the club, but just not in 2019.

Prediction: No semi-final football.

Coach: Michael Cronin.

2018 finish: Knocked out in semi-finals.

Additions: David Catterall.

Losses: Joel Roberts, Michael Brown, Brad Davidson and Kal Collins (injured) haven't been sighted at training.......yet.

X-Factor: Toby Gumley-Quine (who will be lining up in a new position in 2019).

Prospects:

Every season people ask 'Is this the year Gerringong take a step back?', largely due to some of their past premiership stars apparently not playing.

However, even if they don't come back, you'd be brave betting against any Michael Cronin side, especially one with the likes of Nathan Ford, who is in my opinion the hooker in the competition, Rixon Russell, Isaac Russell, Toby Gumley-Quine and Matt Winchester, in it.

The thing with those names, with the exception of Ford, is they are all backs - which poses the question of how good their forward pack is, especially without its heart and soul Kal 'Clive' Collins?

I know Cronin has gone on the record and said he has confidence in young forwards such as Alex Weir and Dylan Arnold, but it's up to them to prove it week in, week out.

One forward I have no reservations about is Jake Taylor, who has quickly become one of the toughest young forwards in the game.

Others I expect a big season from, apart from the aforementioned stars, are Jack Collier, Jordan Chandler and Alec Brooks, who all really came into their own at the back end of 2018.

Add in Corey Mulhall, who missed large chunks of last season, as well as Danny Wedd and the returning David Cattrell, and this squad has all the ingredients of a finals team.

How far their run is in the finals will depend on the performance of their young forwards.

Prediction: Semi-finalist

Coach/captain: Jono Dallas.

2018 finish: Knocked out in preliminary.

Additions: ​Mark Asquith, Dillon Capaan, Brock Skelly and Kyle Stone.

Losses: Jayde Tooth and Joe Rokoqo.

X-Factor: Centres Jake Clarke and Simon Maslanka.

Prospects:

After starting the season slow in 2018, in what can only be described as a premiership hangover, the Superoos proved many of their doubters wrong with a deep run in last year's finals.

If it wasn't for a wretched run of injuries and a controversial refereeing decision that turned last year's preliminary final against Kiama, when Knights half Cam Vazzoler was awarded a try despite calls for him being short of the line, the Roos might have gone into this year on back-to-back grand final appearances, let alone premierships.

But that's footy.

The Roos, looking forward, have recruited as well as anyone in the competition, adding outside back Dillon Capaan from Dapto, five-eighth Mark Asquith, utility Brock Skelly and tough back-rower Kyle Stone into the mix.

While both Joe Rokoqo and Jayde Tooth are solid first grade players, these additions more than cover them in the side.

Related content: Jamberoo end 43-year premiership drought

Add in a healthy Luke Asquith, who is one of the best locks in the game, and this side looks strong on paper.

From Dean Watling at the back, to, in my opinion, the best centre combination in the group, in Jake Clarke and Simon Maslanka, this team has plenty of points in them.

With Jono Dallas and Mark Asquith calling the shots, behind dynamic hookers James Asquith and Skelly, the Kevin Walsh Oval faithful must be confident going into 2019.

The one small concern I have about them is about their props - especially if the tough Jack Loveday doesn't lace the boots up.

While Keiran Pearce, Matt Webster and Brendan Smith are all work horses, they'll need to muscle up and challenge the bigger packs in the competition, if all these aforementioned danger-men are to succeed.

Prediction: Semi-finalist.

Coach: Matt Clarke

2018 finish: Grand finalist

Additions: ​Dylan Morris, Tom Angel and Luke Chalker.

Losses: Cam Whittaker, Cam Cornell, Brent Wake and Brad Scott.

X-Factor: Dylan Morris

Prospects:

As the age old saying goes, you need to lose a grand final (or two) to win one.

So after back-to-back grand final defeats, Matt Clarke's Knights will be out to prove it's third time lucky in 2019, especially if their signings are anything to go by.

Dylan Morris and Tom Angel, who helped the Knights take out the 2016 under 18s premiership, return to the Kiama Showground after stints with the St George Illawarra Dragons under 20s, while Luke Chalker joins following time in the Roosters' equivalent.

The latter two should add plenty of starch to the Knights forward pack, which already possess Toby Nobes and Luke Sutton, as well as the electric Daniel Martin. Forward strength might been seen as their Achilles' heel, especially with the loss of workhorse Cam Whittaker.  

The positives in the forwards is that they are both mobile and have the ability to offload, which should play into, and not hurt, the main strength of the Knights - speed.

Related content: Morris hopes his return leads Knights to promised land

With the likes of Tom Atkins, Matt Morris, Ethan Ford, reigning Michael Cronin Medal winner Cam Vazzoler and now Dylan Morris, the Knights are sure to score plenty of points, especially at the back end of halves, when the forwards become more tired with the reduced interchange rules.

It will be interesting to see what Clarke does with the number six jersey though.

The combination of Blake Rickard and Vazzoler was one of the better ones on the South Coast in 2017, but with the former not returning in 2018, Vazzoler cycled through numerous halves partners last season, including Hamish McLaurin, Scott and Lachie Farrell.

With Dylan Morris apparently in the mix too this season, Clarke has a big decision ahead of him - one which could make or break their season.

Prediction: Semi-finalist.

Coach: Brenden Fernley.

2018 finish: Missed finals.

Additions: Todd Ryan, Trent Ryan, Jayde Tooth, Paul Thornton and Zac Hart.

Losses: Arthur Scott, PJ Ardler and Nick Goodman (injury).

X-Factor: Todd Ryan.

Prospects:

After what appeared like a dire situation for the mighty Bulldogs at the end of 2018, a number of their former juniors have returned to the kennel in 2019, to help the club return to its glory days.

Dynamic brothers Todd and Trent Ryan will add plenty of strength to the side's spine, which also contains the returning Jayde Tooth and young half Tarje Whitford - who led his team the under 18s grand final last season, only to lose to the undefeated Eagles.

Add these four playmakers to props Tyler Clark and Paul Thornton (from Group Six), lock Zac Hart (from Goulburn), centre Blake Mackey and Brenden Fernley has the strongest Bulldogs team assembled in quite some time.

These additions have seen a number a strong showings during the pre-season but it'll be interesting to see if it translates to competition success.

Past seasons have also appeared as promising at the start but injuries to key players has seen the club lose it's way at times.

Related content: Brenden Fernley returns as Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs coach

But if they can win most of their games at Bill Andriske Oval - one of the hardest road trips in Group Seven, and steal a couple of games of the road, the Bulldogs should be in the mix for finals football, but any injuries to the aforementioned players could spell another failed season for the red, white and blue.

Prediction: No semi-final football.

Coach/captain: Dylan Farrell.

2018 finish: Missed finals.

Additions: Danny Deaves, Nathan Deaves, Blake Harris-Davis, Josh Coulter and PJ Ardler.

Losses: Santino Battagliolo and Ben Lahene.

X-Factor: Tyson Simpson/Jake Gould.

Prospects:

Ever since they won the competition in 2014, the Jets have been one of the biggest under achievers in the competition.

On paper, they have as much talent as any team in the group, but just can't seem to put it all together at once.

Is this the year that changes?

Maybe.

They've brought in Bomaderry junior Josh Coulter from the Magpies, who will be a handful for teams in the six jersey.

Read more: South Coast Register rugby league

Then Danny Deaves makes his return to the competition, after breaking his leg with the Bulldogs in 2017 and he will team up with Dylan Farrell to form one the top backrow combinations in the league.

These two big additions, along with hooker Nathan Deaves, winger Blake Harris-Davis and centre PJ Ardler, will add plenty of firepower to a side that already contained Tyson Simpson, Jake Gould and Ryan James - who has turned into one of the top centres in the competition. 

The other name to keep an eye on is Dwyane 'Busta' Connors, who looks as strong as ever, following a season-ending knee injury in 2018.

The biggest concern for the Jets will be in the halves though.

As much as I like Coulter as a player, he's only ever played in the centre or at fullback, so it'll interesting to see how he goes barking orders to the team.

In the same breath, I have concerns about his apparent halves partner Geoff 'Choc' Johnson.

There's no denying Choc's accomplishments in this competition but as he is now venturing into his mid-40s, I'll be interested if he can keep up with the pace of the game in 2019.

Prediction: No semi-final football.

Coach: Abed Atallah.

2018 finish: Premiers.

Additions: Jayden Morgan, Juvilee Samiu, Deejay Harris, Liam Ryan and Donte Efaraimo.

Losses: Sam Clune, Harold Snell, Jason Gray, Ryan McCracken and James Ralphs.

X-Factor: Jack Kavanagh.

Prospects:

After a number of close calls, the Sharks finally ended 17 years of heartache when they defeated the Knights in last year's decider.

In fairness, it was probably the most comprehensive performance I've seen in a grand final since starting to cover the competition in 2015.

However, as they'll find out, it's always hard to go from the hunters to the hunted, as all other nine teams will left to try and knock off the reigning premiers.

To make matters harder, they will be without the services of five of their best players from last year, in Sam Clune, Harold Snell, Ryan McCracken, James Ralphs and Jason Gray.

Related content: Sharks end 17-year Group Seven premiership drought against Knights

Each of that quintet played vital roles in last year's assault and it will be hard to cover them.

Sure Nic Greenhalgh appears likely to replace Clune as Matt Carroll's halves partner but the jury it still out if he can fill those massive boots left by Clune, who in my opinion was the man of the match in the grand final.

In terms of the backline, they will be as dangerous as ever, with Jye Brooker, Wayde Aitken, Donte Efaraimo and Jayme Mcelhone all proven finishers on the edges, with Tamati Ulukita appearing to have first chance at replacing Gray as the custodian.

In the middle of the park, Jack Kavanagh, who quickly proved to be one of the top props in the game, appears set for an ever bigger workload in 2019, with a shift to the lock position being on the cards.

With Kavanagh and sharp hooker Kiran Tranter in his middle, Atallah has a strong base to build around.

This move allows coach Abed Atallah to play other big forwards, such as Matt Coltman, Max Wolfson and Liam Ryan, which will complement backrowers Jayden Morgan, assuming he isn't playing for the Dragons in the Canterbury Cup, and Abe Atallah.

Prediction: Semi-finalist.

Coach: Wayne Clarges.

2018 finish: Missed finals.

Additions: Liam Quinn, Will Homer, Mitch Rosser, Jake Hawkins, Huss Hadarra, Alex Whalley, Jayden Sargent, Junior Knight and Nick Mastro.

Losses: Jake Goody.

X-Factor: Liam Quinn - capped twice for England.

Prospects:

Wayne Clarges had a rough first year at the helm, with his Stingrays not winning a single game in 2018.

However, with a strong recruitment drive, led by two-time England international Liam Quinn, things appearing to be turning around at Flinders Field.

Quinn, Will Homer, Huss Hadara and Nick Mastro all add plenty of size and strength to the Rays' forward pack, which should lay the platform for creative players such as Mitch Rosser and Jayden Sargent.

With all these additions, the majority of their young core staying at the club with a year's experience under their belts, I'm expecting a move up the table for the Stingrays in 2019.

Although their trial form has been positive, it may take a while for this team to gel and be a cohesive unit but in the back end of the year, I'm sure Clarges' troops will cause one of two upsets.

Prediction: No semi-final football.

Coach/captain: Hans Schuster and Craig Stapleton.

2018 finish: Knocked out in semi-finals.

Additions: Kayne Brennan, Daniel Burke, Lloyd Thomas, Dylan McGregor, Nathan Hore, Jake Goody, Hayden Goody, Guy Rosewarn and Dane Ford.

Losses: Ian Catania, Andrew Diomei, Jordan Harty, Mark Walsh and Kyle Stone.

X-Factor: Aaron Henry.

Prospects:

I keep hearing plenty of positive things coming out of Cec Glenholmes Oval, largely due to new co-coaches Hans Schuster and Craig Stapleton leading the culture change.

They'll be the first to admit the wheels fell off at the end of the season, thanks to some off-field distractions, but that is all behind them now.

Although Ian Catania, Andrew Diomei, Jordan Harty and Kyle Stone are all big losses, especially in terms of experience, the Gorillas have recruited strongly and seem to have replaced them well.

It will be a massive boost for the club if Dylan McGregor can manage his army commitments and run onto the field.

The former Michael Cronin Medal winner is hands down one of the top forwards in the competition, as he showed for many season with the Sharks.

Lloyd Thomas will joined Aaron Henry in the front-row and create one of the biggest and most dangerous front lines in the league, especially with the latter now being able to concentrate just on playing, after two season as captain/coach.

Obviously the Gorillas are always renowned for the strength of their pack but I'l be interested to see how new halves combination Nathan Hore and Daniel Burke go.

If the Gorillas are to be successful in 2019 and win their first competition in eight seasons, these two halves are going to be vital in making the most of the strong platform laid by their forwards, including the tough as nails James Keelan.

In the same vein, with no Jordan Harty, players like Kye Deane, Tyson Brown and Chad Lisch will be counted on to finish plenty of attacking raids for the Gorillas.

I can sense a deep run into the final, as the whole club will want to honour club legend Mark Roberts, who recently passed away.

Prediction: Semi-finalist.

Ladder after home and away season: 1. Jamberoo, 2. Shellharbour, 3. Kiama, 4. Warilla-Lake South, 5. Gerringong, 6. Nowra-Bomaderry, 7. Albion Park-Oak Flats, 8. Milton-Ulladulla, 9. Stingrays and 10. Berry-Shoalhaven Heads.

Leading point scorer: Cam Vazzoler (Kiama)

Leading try scorer: Jye Brooker (Shellharbour)

Rookie of the year: Dallas Harrison (Albion Park-Oak Flats)

Michael Cronin Medal winner: Nathan Ford (Gerringong)

Grand final: Jamberoo vs Kiama - with the Knights ending 34-year premiership drought by lifting the Artie Smith Trophy at the Collegians Sporting Complex in September.