At long last we can finally witness some local league action on the field this Sunday when the Albion Hotel Singleton Greyhounds play host to the Denman Devils at Pirtek Park.

The competition this year has suffered a blow before a ball has been kicked with the Greta-Branxton Colts not fielding a First Grade side.

This has created a bye in the top grade which is about as popular as root canal therapy for supporters who need their local footy fix.

Hopefully the Colts can rebuild for next season and be a force once again.

The Rams are also low on numbers with around a dozen of their top squad from last season linking with Denman for 2019 and they will be referred to as Denbrook forthwith.

The four remaining sides look evenly matched and will provide some enthralling contests throughout the season.

Premiers Scone appear to have strengthened with the addition of former Knight and Raiders rake Adam Clydesdale joining the ranks while minor premiers Aberdeen have lost key forward Josh Schmeidel but have found suitable replacements and have adequate depth in senior grades to be there at the business end.

Denbrook will have plenty of depth as a result of the exodus of players from the Rams which will obviously impact Muswellbrook's chances in 2019.

Of course Singleton have been the biggest talking point all off-season with the signatures of NRL enforcer Frank-Paul Nu'uausala (FPN) and Chad Redman.

If there was one area Singleton could have strengthened it was up front after the retirements of Russell Richards, Chris Martin, Josh Desmond and Craig Edwards in 2017.

Coach Jye Bayley it must be said is quite content with the performances of his young brigade who served him so well in 2018 and so far resisted overtures from a number of players from outside the club and district to get on the Greyhounds 2019 bandwagon.

The 'Ourcare' Singleton First Grade will again boast a very young side who are now another year older, wiser and seasoned for the physical demands of First grade headed up by Thomas Johnson and Under 23 representative stars James Bradley and Will Nieuwenhuise.

Besides FPN and Redman the player 'gains' column is short but impressive with Jake Hardy back after a few years with Muswellbrook, Nelson Gardiner to add some size upfront and outside back Jayden Stewart all of whom are local products.

Seasoned players like Zac Solman, Brodie Rinkin and Jay Ferrie are also trying to press their claims.

The only loss is premiership winner Scott Griffiths who has retired and been a great servant to the club over the past decade.

The club also welcomes back a group of local players returning in 2019 which will provide Singleton its customary depth it enjoyed in Reserve Grade for many years and give coach Alex Ferrie plenty to work with.

In the Under 18's, Daniel Higgins has established another promising group of players who will be looking to go one better in 2019.

The girl's league-tag side under the guidance of Michael Kirkpatrick are a young side with a sprinkle of experience and also have a number of new faces in the team.

So the club is looking for strong home town support at its first home game of the season in what should be four entertaining fixtures.

With no trial games or pre-season competition there is some intrigue as to how Singleton will fare in the early rounds as 'potential' doesn't always ensure success.

No doubt Singleton will build into the season strongly and be aiming for a top two finish in this short but competitive competition here in Group 21.

Match Day sponsors will be the Singleton Bull's rugby club who continue the support network established between the league and union sides last year.

Round 1 - Sunday 28th April (Pirtek Park)

1st grade: Singleton vs Denbrook @ 2:00pm

Reserve grade: Singleton vs Denbrook @ 12:30pm

Under 18's: Singleton vs Denman @ 11:15pm

League-Tag: Singleton vs Denman @ 10:15pm