Each and every club has undergone plenty of change during the off-season and now the likes of the Wellington Cowboys, Narromine Jets and Dubbo Westside are noticeably stronger after missing finals in 2017.

Premiers Dubbo CYMS has lost Kieran Cubby-Shipp and Matt Naden while Ben Marlin is expected to miss most of the season through injury and Wade Kavanagh will miss the first six rounds through suspension.

The Fishies are again expected to be there come the end of the season but new leadership at Macquarie, Nyngan, Parkes and Forbes has all those clubs gunning for the men in green and white.

With the action getting underway on Sunday, here’s a look at how each club is shaping up.

Last season: Premiers

Coach: Tim Ryan

Notable additions: Billy Sing, Jesse Wighton, John Grey, Corey Cox, Corey Drew, Nick Harvey, Byron Warren, Scott Burgess

Notable losses: Kieran Cubby-Shipp, Matt Naden, Joeby Vetaukula, Viliame Turuva, Hayden Howell, Maika Serulevu, Kelevi Ralulu, Matt Burton.

Inside word from Tim Ryan: We look at it as a new year and we’re starting again. We’ll treat every side the same and a few of them have got some new players so it’s going to be exciting.

I’ve said for numerous years now, last season is forgotten and this is a new group. It’s always good to have some fresh faces in the side but we’ve got the same core group.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Premiership’s in the past as Tim Ryan focuses on Fishies’ fresh start

Last season: Runners-up

Captain-coach: Jacob Neill

Notable additions: John Sipendi, Eliki Ledua, Ngamanu Winitana, Matthew Fieldsend

Notable losses: Stewart Mills, Todd Rope, Rodney Coates, Reece Goldsmith, Jone Yacadrua, Brett Howard, Norman Fuiava

Inside word from Jacob Neill: Our pre-season has been good, after that slow start, and we’ve all been there at training and we’re giving it a red-hot go.

We didn’t do a lot flashy last year, we just worked hard for each other and had a crack every weekend and I think you’ll see that from us again this year.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Youthful Tigers preparing for ‘red-hot crack’ at glittering Cowboys outfit

Last season: Third

Coach: Cameron Greenhalgh

Notable additions: Brad McMillan, Kurt Mylecharane

Notable losses: Jesse Wighton, Zac Merritt

Inside word from Cameron Greenhalgh: We’re expecting the whole competition to be pretty handy. Last week we did a lot of defensive stuff, particularly physical defensive stuff. This week we’ll work on attack.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Magpies brace for tough season opener against improved Rabbitohs

Last season: Fourth

Captain-coach: Alex Prout

Notable additions: Nelson Daplen, Waisale Ratudina, Lewis Dwyer, Maikelli Sivo, Josateki Sovau

Notable losses: Dennis Moran, Sam Dwyer, Brandon Tago, Darby Medlyn

Inside word from Alex Prout: Forty players (at pre-season) is quite good. It’s one of the highest numbers we’ve had for a long time for pre-season.

We’ve got a bit to work on ahead of round one and throughout the year but it’s a good start to the year. We lost (fullback) Sammy Dwyer at the end of last year and there’s been a couple of blokes pushing for it but Brandon Paige is going to start there.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Paige to fill biggest boots in Western region

Last season: Fifth

Coach: Dylan Hill

Notable additions: Sam Coe, Bobby Gordon, Colt Tairua, Isaac Gordon, Daniel Bain, DJ Gordon

Notable losses: Luke Gale, Zac Rennick, Matt Lane, Josh Merritt, Willie Wright, Laberato Tauoqooqo

Inside word from Dylan Hill: It’s been a tough pre-season. We started up straight after Christmas after doing a bit before that and there’s been a massive improvement. A lot of blokes were complaining to start with but now they’re starting to see the rewards of that fitness work and that will continue and carry us through the season.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Raiders will give Sam Coe every chance to showcase his ‘excellence’

Last season: Sixth

Captain-coach: Wes Middleton

Notable additions: Wes Middleton, Tyrone Walsh, Travis Lowe, Luke Mack, Tony Clevin, Chris Wilcox

Notable losses: Luke Thompson, Corey Cox, EJ Fernando, Daryl Cubby, DJ Gordon, Darrel Kemp, Kurt Beahan

Inside word from Wes Middleton: We’re bringing back that spirit from the old days. People are coming together to give back to the community and give them something exciting to be a part of each weekend.

Grand final is the goal. You would be foolish not to have that as the goal and I firmly believe in our boys. We’ve got some younger boys who want to be here and that’s the the bonus. I’ve got blokes who want to wear the red and white jersey.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Grand final and excited fans is what Jets aim to deliver

Last season: Seventh

Captain-coach: Aidan Ryan

Notable additions: Nathan Merritt, Adrian Davis, Justin Toomey-White, Reggie Saunders, Jarrin Fernando, Carl Ralph, EJ Fernando

Notable losses: Shannon Ireland, Norm West, Keiran Brien

Inside word from Aidan Ryan: I think a big thing with our side is everyone’s got big expectations of Justin Toomey-White, Reggie (Saunders), AJ Davis, but the standout players have been the local fellas throughout the trials with their commitment and training ethic. It’s just been unreal for them to better themselves as players. It’s really showing on the footy field and hopefully everyone worries about what Justin and ‘Merro’ (Nathan Merritt) are doing on the field and forget about the locals.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Cowboys ready to unleash Merritt and much-hyped side

Last season: Eighth

Captain-coaches: Claude Gordon and Matt Naden

Notable additions: Claude Gordon, Matt Naden, Kurt Beahan, Darryl Kemp, Daryl Cubby, Blaize Fuller, Tyson Fuller

Notable losses: Colt Tairua, Ty Blanchette, Sam Coe

Inside word from Claude Gordon: We’re starting from scratch, basically. We’re trying to change everything, from the top right through to the playing group and we’re starting to get things in order at the top. When you do that everything flows down.

We’re not miracle workers. We’re just trying to get the boys going and get them playing some good footy.

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Westside starting ‘from scratch’ with new leaders and new culture