Port will travel to Nowra for their first assignment back in the men’s competition, six months after losing the reserve grade grand final to a rampant Kiama Power.

But the Power were denied a premiership double after the Lions produced a dramatic last quarter surge to win their second consecutive flag.

Kiama coach Rod Richards said the club quickly moved on from last year’s disappointment and warned the Power will only be better this campaign.

“We haven’t spoken about it,” he said. “As much as it hurt us, what happened last season won’t have an impact on us trying to do well this year, we’ve got new goals set.

“We’ve got almost all our players back and some very good young talent pushing their way into first grade after being part of that reserve grade team. We’ve been training really well and had great numbers every week.”

Kiama led by 12 points at three-quarter time in the grand final, but were held to just one point by the Lions, who ran out 15-point winners.

Former Hawthorn AFL rookie listed player Jack Mahony will again spearhead the Power’s premiership crusade, in an impressive midfield which also features Nick Baggio and Ben Williams.

“We’ve changed our patterns a bit, but we know what works and we’ll stick to our strengths,” Richards said. 

“We’re not totally sure what we’ll get from Northern Districts, but it’s round one, you know they’re going to be fit and up and about.”

The women’s league features Kiama among six AFL South Coast men’s clubs, as well as Dapto City, Ulladulla and the Wollongong Saints, who will also have a team in the AFL Sydney division one competition.

“It’s exciting,” Richards said.

“We’ve had 15-20 women regularly at training and it’s added a lot to have a women’s team at the club as well.

“You can sense there’s a real buzz around the league.

“It’s great to see Port Kembla come up as well, they did a great job making the reserves grand final last year and hopefully they’ll be competitive in first grade as well.”

Round one

Men

Saturday: (2.15pm) NORTHERN DISTRICTS v KIAMA at Hollymount Park, BOMADERRY v WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS at Artie Smith Oval, NOWRA-ALBATROSS v PORT KEMBLA at West Street Oval; (3.30pm) WOLLONGONG LIONS v FIGTREE at North Dalton Park; SHELLHARBOUR bye.

Women

Saturday: (11.45am) WOLLONGONG LIONS v WOLLONGONG SAINTS at North Dalton Park, (12.15pm) NOWRA-ALBATROSS v ULLADULLA at West Street Oval, (12.30pm) BOMADERRY v WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS at Artie Smith Oval, NORTHERN DISTRICTS v KIAMA at Hollymount Park, DAPTO CITY bye.