The usual excitement and optimism was on show from representatives of all 10 clubs at the launch of this season's Group Seven rugby league competition.
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The players the Mercury spoke to on the night all talked up their respective club's chances but without fail most indicated last year's premiers the Gerringong Lions would again be the team to beat in 2024.
The Lions and their captain Nathan Ford were actually still basking in the glory, having a week earlier become the Illawarra-South Coast kings after outlasting Thirroul 20-14 to claim the inaugural Interclub Challenge.
Though at the season launch at Kiama Leagues Club last Friday night, Ford said the Lions had quickly turned their focus to trying to defend their title.
The Mercury will have more on the Lions and the ins and outs of each team in the lead-up to the season start on April 6.
Group Seven rugby league operations manager Ashton Sims said the upcoming season was shaping up to be the best on record.
"This year we will be fielding 10 first grade, 10 reserve grade , 10 under 18 teams, nine Reagan Cup third grade sides, 10 ladies league tag 1 and seven league ladies division 2 two teams.
"In our inaugural Group Seven women's open tackle competition we've got six sides, which is very exciting," he said.
"Our current male and female participation levels are incredible. Currently we stand at 939 registrations across all those sides.
"Males sit at 661, up nine percent on last year and females sit at 277, up seven per cent on this time last year.
"And a really proud statistic is our 18's participation, it has 10 sides , that's up 30 per cent on this time last year.
"I'm happy to say we are now the sixth biggest competition across NSW."
Round one of the Group Seven competition will be played on the weekend of April 6-7.
In first-grade games on Saturday, April 6:
Gerringong Lions v Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies at Michael Cronin Oval at 3pm.
Jamberoo Superoos v Kiama Knights at Kevin Walsh Oval at 3pm.
Games on Sunday, April 7 are:
Nowra-Bomaderry Jets v Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs at Bomaderry Sporting Complex at 3pm.
Stingrays of Shellharbour v Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles at Flinders Field at 3pm.
Warilla-Lake South Gorillas v Shellharbour Sharks at Cec Glenholmes oVal at 3pm.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
