By Tallon Smith
THE 2025 Group 20 season is upon us, and teams are preparing for the first round of games across the district this Sunday afternoon.
With a player movement frenzy around the group occurring over the off-season, teams are trying to fit new pieces into their puzzles in the hope of securing a top five finish and a shot at the premiership trophy.
The Hay Magpies have been the big movers and shakers in the player market over the off-season, signing a new Captain-Coach in Chris Stewart and securing the services of local juniors Harley Hey, Will Barnes and Ben Arandt among others.
Griffith Waratahs have also added star power, welcoming back former fullback James Girdler and signing a new non-playing Co-Coach in Brett Goldspink, while Leeton acquired rising Yanco forward Ky Preston.
Speaking of Yanco, they have also recruited well, with D’Andre Williams, Brayden Ingram, Glen Borg among new faces set to don the maroon and white in 2025.
Yenda also made the best late acquisition of all clubs, outbidding the Waratahs for the rights to veteran forward Chris Latu for the upcoming campaign.
Meanwhile, West Wyalong will begin the season with a bye, with the Mallee Men set to take on Rankins Springs in the Kiawarra Cup, before an away date with Leeton to open their season at the Leeton No.1 Oval next weekend.
With the season set to begin, let’s take a look at the four matches this weekend and what will shape the outcome of each game.
Hay v Darlington Point-Coleambally - Hay Park Oval
This one is easily the match of the round. The big recruiters of the off-season in Hay taking on the perennial powerhouse and defending premiers Darlington Point-Coleambally.
Boasting a side including new captain coach Chris Stewart and returning locals Harley Hey, Will Barnes and Ben Arandt among others, there is a great sense of anticipation surrounding the boys from the Hay Plains this year.
However, standing in their way is the DPC juggernaut, with stars like two-time Ray Thorpe Medallist Guy Thompson and club Best and Fairest Jon Huggett, with one thing on their mind, defending their title.
This should be a cracker of a match out at the Hay Park Oval, and I reckon it’ll be a tough grind.
The Magpies will start well, but I think the Roosters will overwhelm them. DPC by 18.
Tullibigeal-Lakes United v Yanco - Lake Cargelligo Recreation Ground
At first, a clash between this decade’s perennial cellar dwellers doesn’t sound too appetising.
However, when you consider the recruiting that Yanco-Wamoon have done over the off-season, and the fact that the Sharks will be back to full strength, this one suddenly becomes a game not to be missed.
With new coach Jim Dabea at the helm and likely to partner Narrandera flyer Caleb Atkinson in the centres, the Hawks look like a team that could score points at will in 2025.
However, their defence is what will win and lose games, and with the Nathan Morris-led Sharks welcoming back the dynamite Jaden Kelly, they will have to be on their a-game.
This one is a real toss up, especially being at Lake. I’m tipping Yanco by 4.
Griffith Derby: Waratahs v Black and Whites - Exies Oval, Griffith
Next up is the Griffith Derby. With a rich history going back to 1964, clashes between these two sides can only be described as brutal and tough.
Waratahs have been the big movers over the past two years, coming out of recess to make the finals last season and go within two games of a Grand Final berth.
With the additions of the returning James Girdler on the field and former NRL star Brett Goldspink in the coaching department, the Tigers look like being one of the top sides again in 2025.
Knocking them out however in the Minor Semi was the Black and Whites, who went on to defeat Yenda and make the Grand Final themselves before losing to DPC.
Although the loss of long-term coach Andrew Lavaka was a big one over the off-season, incoming coach Kodie Charles will bring his strong work ethic that saw Ivanhoe rise to being perennial contenders in the Proten Cup during his tenure.
Overall, it will start as a close game, like most derbies, but I think the Waratahs will have too much firepower. Waratahs by 14.
Yenda v Leeton - Wade Park, Yenda
The final game of the weekend is between Yenda and Leeton.
With new head coaches Trey Woodland and Tre Holten-Williams, the Blueheelers are a bit of an unknown quantity compared to their Preliminary Finalist side last season.
The addition of veteran forward Chris Latu also adds significant strength to the Yenda pack.
Leeton have the addition of former Yanco prop Ky Preston to bolster their pack, and have maintained many key members of their backline, including captain-coach and halfback Shan Bradbrook.
However, the key losses since their back to back premierships in 2022-23 have piled up, and this is a much younger and more inexperienced Leeton side than that of a few years ago.
Thus, with the home ground advantage and Latu on their side, the scales in this journalist’s mind tip in the favour of Yenda by 6.
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