It promises to be another big year, the first under a game-changing salary cap system that's expected to bring an immediate shake-up.

League scribe Mitch Jennings will be on deck again every week bringing all the news and insights from the country's premier bush footy competition.

With the new season beginning on Saturday, Jenno runs his eyes over all seven clubs, the changes over the off-season and their chances in 2019.

The best way to get your local league fix first is to subscribe to Illawarra Mercury Sport to get all your news reports and updates as it happens.

Last season: Premiers

Coach: Pete McLeod (second season)

Key departures: Josh Daley, Zac Greene, Glenn Stewart, Keiran Rankmore, Nathan Leatigaga

Key additions: Rhys Hanbury, Marty Cramp, Daniel Zohar, Will Te Maari, Michael Appleby and Declan Morrisey

Jenno says: Deserved premiers in 2018 in McLeod's first season as head coach. The loss of hooker Josh Daley is a huge one as is five-eighth Zac Greene and the retirement of Glenn Stewart. However, they have been bolstered by the return of several former Devils as well as Super League veteran and Wests junior Rhys Hanbury who'll add class and experience to the spine.

Verdict: Defending a title is notoriously difficult but the Devils are as well placed as any recent premiers to do so.

Read more: New faces on deck for Wests in premiership defence

Last season: runners-up

Coach: Jarrod Costello (fourth season)

Key departures: Jack Payne, Leigh Higgins, Aaron Beath (retired), Chris Perkins.

Key additions: Jack Noble, Damien Sironen, Jay Gallagher (NSW Cup).

Jenno says: Fell just short of an epic second-half comeback in last year's decider and have retained the bulk of that squad. Boast the healthiest forward stocks in the competition this year and will have key men Joel Johnson and Jake Walsh steering the ship again.

Verdict: Have been perennially thereabouts in premierships reckoning but will enter 2019 as favourites in the eyes of many.

Read more: Butchers won't look back in anger as new season begins

Last season: preliminary finalists

Coach: Mick Murphy, Chris Leikvoll (first season)

Key departures: Michael Henderson (retired), Harry Seijka, Lulia Lulia (retired), Jamie Dunning (retired), Mick Murphy (coaching), Matt Handcock.

Jenno says: Were premiers, grand finalists and prelim finalists in three years under Michael Henderson but time caught up with an aging roster in 2018. Murphy was the linchpin of those sides and moves into the coaching ranks alongside club favourite son and former Dragons front-rower Leikvoll.

Verdict: Huge roster turnover, look most vulnerable of last year's finalists.

Read more: Murphy looking to make smooth transition to coaching ranks

Coach: Nathan Fien (third season)

Key departures: Ben Jones, Rory O'Brien, Charlie Faaingga, Liam Cassidy, Daniel Burke

Key additions: Craig Garvey, Jacob Woods, Josh Dowell.

Jenno says: 2017 premiers, the Dogs went straight out the back door in last year's finals with a side that never seemed to click after a big off-season recruitment drive.The club has looked inward with a younger looking squad and claimed the preseason Challenge Cup crown.

Big turnover in roster but looks the goods under two-time premiership winner Fien and will benefit from having key man Jarrod Boyle on deck for an entire season after he missed last year's playoffs.

Verdict: Title claims as strong as any.

Read more: Collegians looking inward after 2018 finals fade out

Coach: Aaron McDonald (fourth season)

Last season: fifth

Key departures: Ben White, Shannon Wakeman.

Key additions: Grayson Goodwin, Mason Pure.

Jenno says: McDonald has done an outstanding job since the club returned the top grade three years ago, navigating the tough re-entry period and bringing the Eagles close to a finals breakthrough last season.

Loss of marquee recruit Shannon Wakeman (work commitments) virtually on the eve of season kickoff is a major blow as is the loss of last year's best back Ben White who's returned to England. However, the Eagles have been bolstered by the likes of Goodwin and Pure.

Verdict: Look the side most likely to force their way into the finals this season.

Read more: Near enough not good enough for Berkeley in 2019

Coach: Gavin Lennon (second season)

Last season: sixth

Key departures: Steve McCallum, Grant Smith, Wayne Bremner, Ryan Fletcher, Mutu Stanley, Daniel Arahu

Key additions: Luke Williams, Kurt Atkinson, Neihana Walters, Arnold Woulf

Jenno says: Lost a wealth of experience in the retirements of club greats Steve McCallum and Grant Smith and will also be without 2017 Paul McGregor Medalist Wayne Bremner. However, have recruited wisely in bringing in some experienced campaigners. The Tigers always lift for top opposition, consistency against all sides in the finals race will be essential this season.

Verdict: capable of shaking up the finals if they can get there.

Read more: New start but same attitude at Helensburgh

Coach: Sean Maloney (second season)

Last season: seventh

Key additions: Ed Ansell, George Tyson, Jake Ecclestone, Nathan Docherty, Jack Gordon, Ryan Power.

Jenno says: Entering the second year of a rebuild under Maloney after virtually starting from scratch last season. Were universally regarded by opposition coaches as better than their win-less run through 2018 suggested. Preseason form has been encouraging and Maloney has added some strike power out wide that will make them a more dangerous proposition with the footy.

Verdict: another win-less season seems unlikely but finals still looks a season or two away.

Read more: Corrimal following best laid plan in 2019