One thousand, two hundred and ninety-six - that's the magic number for Zone 16 heading into next year's pennants season.
A total of 108 teams - each comprising 12 players - from 24 clubs have nominated for next season's pennant competition.
Dapto Citizens will field nine teams, Oak Flats eight and Albion Park and the resurgent Windang seven teams each.
The Orb and Kembla Heights will field one team apiece.
The blue-ribbon grade one pennants competition will be contested by defending champions Warilla, runners-up Corrimal, Towradgi, Bulli, Dapto, Dapto Citizens, Wiseman Park-Wollongong City, Wollongong RSL, Albion Park and newly promoted Shellharbour.
Ten teams will contest grades two and three and the grade four and five competitions will feature 12 teams each.
Grades six (24 teams) and seven (30 teams) will be split into divisions.
The season starts on Saturday, March 7, 2009.