A 44-point grand final win against Noradjuha-Quantong stamped Harrow-Balmoral as one of only four teams in league history to complete a senior premiership three-peat, and another flag this season would see the Roos join Kalkee as the only sides to win four straight.
But with an ageing list, coach Jai Thompson knows the Roos, as currently constructed, might not have many more opportunities to add to their trophy cabinet.
Also flush in their premiership window are the Bombers, who have finished runners-up to Harrow-Balmoral for the past two seasons.
Coach Damian Cameron believes his team has maintained a positive mindset as it chases premiership success, despite falling agonisingly short in the past two years.
Laharum won two finals last season before coming up short against the Bombers in a preliminary final, and has retained most of its players while selectively targeting a pair of key recruits, making it a grand final contender in the eyes of many.
Elsewhere the outlook is less certain, however.
Kaniva-Leeor United started 2025 slowly but finished strongly, and is hoping for a more consistent run this year after also retaining the bulk of its players.
Pimpinio and Swifts have seen more list turnover than last season’s other finals contenders, while Natimuk United hopes to continue its rise towards the top five after picking up highly touted ruckman Henry Gould from Lucindale in South Australia.
But arguably the biggest recruit of the off-season belongs to Kalkee, which enticed back former junior star Tanner Smith. Smith has years of experience at AFL and state-league level, and should help bring the Kees back into finals contention after a 4-12 season last year.
With former Dellar medallist Deek Roberts back in the fold alongside a few other recruits, Taylors Lake will also be out to improve on an eighth-place campaign last year, while Rupanyup has opted to add as much depth as possible around its young core.
Edenhope-Apsley is coming from a long way back after a wooden spoon in 2025, but has recruited well and figures to be much more competitive this season.
The netball competition is not short of intrigue either, with Rupanyup set to lose all 10 players that bought the club its first A Grade premiership in the Horsham District league last season.
The Panthers will now pivot to rebuilding around some of their young talent, and the club’s incredible depth from last season should hold it in good stead, with several promoted B Grade players having previously excelled in the top-tier competition.
Rupanyup’s list turnover has opened the door for other premiership contenders, with grand final runner-up Edenhope-Apsley returning a virtually unchanged side from last year.
The Saints have been training hard under returning coach Lavinia Fox, who hopes building continuity will be enough to push them across the line.
Laharum figures to vault back into premiership contention with star goal-shooter Caitlin Jones-Story returning to the fold, while Kalkee will look to depth and youth to carry it after reaching a preliminary final last season.
Noradjuha-Quantong coach Taylor Shelley is optimistic about the Bombers’ premiership chances after bringing in a trio of fit and experienced players in their primes.
Outside the finals llast season was Swifts, with the Baggies promoting junior talent – a tactic shared by Natimuk United, which boasts one of the league’s best young goalies in Emma Uebergang.
Taylors Lake is another side determined to thrust itself into the finals conversation in its second season under coach Sharon Fedke, and similar to the Baggies and Rams, will field a young side in 2026.
Kaniva-Leeor United, with the loss of some experience, looks likely to spend another season developing, but Harrow-Balmoral is setting itself for a push up the ladder with some new recruits and a new coach in Georgia Kramm.
Returning goalie Tahlia Thompson looks set to give wooden spooner Pimpinio a boost, with the Tigers keen to improve on a one-win season in 2025.
The new league year will kick off on April 11, with Taylors Lake hosting Laharum at Dock Lake Reserve, Pimpinio welcoming the travelling Edenhope-Apsley, Natimuk United heading on the road to Rupanyup, Kaniva-Leeor United at home to Harrow-Balmoral and Noradjuha-Quantong hosting Swifts, while Kalkee has a first-up bye.
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