On that occasion, Figtree easily accounted for the Wollongong Bulldogs to secure their maiden men's premier division flag.

Now the pair will lock horns once again to tip-off what is sure to be another thrilling AFLSC season.

From the premiers perspective, they will have a new man at the helm when they travel to Keira Oval on Saturday.

That man is Michael Coleman, who was assistant to Will Ryan last season.

"I love the game and as you get older, you start to think about passing on the experience you've learned and teaching the next generation," Coleman said.

"Stepping into coaching to do that is something I've wanted to do for a while now and I'm excited to get the opportunity this year.

"Luckily for me, the club was handed over in a good position and coming off being premiers in three grades, there's not a lot I need to add.

"Just being a new face and introducing some new ways of looking at the game will hopefully keep the energy high among the playing group, in striving for improvement and more success."

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This weekend will also mark the end of a long pre-season for the Figtree Oval-based club.

"It's always hard to tell how successful the pre-season has been until you start playing but I believe it's been a pretty solid few months and the boys are more than prepared for the season to start this Saturday," Coleman said.

"Being reigning premiers coming into the year puts the target on our backs for sure - last year we had the motivation to hunt down the better sides.

"This year will be about how well we can keep that drive among the players when we are the ones being hunted."

One of those teams hunting the Roos is Saturday's opponents, who they beat on two occasions in 2020.

"The Bulldogs were a much better team than the result showed last year and I have no doubt they'll be throwing everything into this game to get their year off to a good start," Coleman said.

"Our boys have been working hard to improve on last year, so to get this game in round one will be a good test to see if the hard work has paid off.

"No doubt it will be a highly contested game for the four quarters and we know both teams can use the ball well and score quickly.

"These games tend to come down to the midfield battle, who can get on top early and keep that intensity up for four quarters will decide the winner."

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First bounce for the fixture at Keira Oval is at 1.30pm, which is just before the start of the Shellharbour and Northern Districts game at Myimbarr Oval (2.10pm).

The final game of the round, between Kiama and Wollongong Lions at Bonaira Oval - pitting the two 2018 grand final opponents against one another - starts at 2.30pm.

While in the premier women's fixtures, the newly rebranded Figtree Saints begin their title defence against the Bulldogs from 11.50am.

Elsewhere, Kiama takes on Lions from 11am at Bonaira Oval, with Bomaderry and Norths facing off from 10.50am at Myimbarr Oval.

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