AN OFF-SEASON recruiting spree will see the Tallangatta Hoppers start the season as premiership favourites.

Following an impressive rise up the ladder last year, the Hoppers should emerge as a real force with Tyson Gorupic and Craig Lieschke heading the list of recruits mainly from Ovens and Murray club, Wodonga.

Reigning premier Kiewa-Sandy Creek has lost some big names in Josh Bartel, Leigh Cameron, Dane Hallinan and Jack Rhodes.

Although the Hawks are coy about new signings, the club has plenty of depth and will again be competitive this season.

Runner-up Dederang-Mount Beauty has lost Jake Mounsey but the club has retained the bulk of its playing list and will be keen to go one step better this year.

Last season's two other finalists, Mitta United and Barnawartha, look likely to slip down the ladder following the loss of big name players and a lack of quality replacements.

Mitta United may lose up to half the team that has been so successful over the past decade.

The club will bid farewell to Chris and Justin Nelson, Matt Jones and youngster Ben Dower. The players that remain aren't getting any younger and the Blues will struggle unless there is a late influx of younger talent.

Barnawartha has lost some senior players, as well as some exciting youngsters such as Josh Spence.

The Tigers still have experienced coach Terry Burgess at the helm, but finding new players skilled enough to match last year's efforts may prove difficult.

Yackandandah and Thurgoona have both recruited well and will be looking for an improvement on last season's results. Adrian Rjinbeck, Justin Fulton and Scott Clancy will give Yack a lift in the big man department, especially in the forward line where they struggled last year.

New coach Danny Hargraves and the return of Chris Moscher will strengthen Thurgoona although the departure of Brett Wightman will be a big loss.

Beechworth Bushrangers have appointed a local coach in Shaun Pritchard and look to have a similar side to last year. Their success or otherwise may depend on Tiernan Halliday who was a star for the Bushrangers last season.

With Halliday now based in Melbourne there is some doubt about where he will play.

Wahgunyah will remain competitive in its second year in the league, while Chiltern has lost a number of its better performers and will struggle to be a final five contender.

Rutherglen has lost Scott Thompson and is likely to finish near the bottom, along with Wodonga Saints under new coach Ian Romeril.

The season begins on Saturday.