The annual Lightning Cup fixture will run at the Eden Cricket Ground on Saturday and sees teams contest round robin matches for the pre-season superiority, while Lakes Entrance are also sending two outfits to join the fray. 

AFL ACT/NSW Coordinator Jarrod Moore said Pambula and Narooma have both shown plenty of depth in their rosters and will likely be the teams to beat again this year. 

“But the Lakes Entrance boys could be quite hard to beat as well and I’m curious to see how their squads shape up,” Moore said. 

There are no early indicators of standout or potential rep pick ups yet, but Moore said next weekend’s launch will be a perfect platform to showcase early season form and catch all the teams before the season proper. 

“Most of the teams have only been on the track and not had any real hitouts yet, so it will be great to see what everyone is bringing to the table,” he said. 

There are a couple of young stars moving through the ranks that will likely join their respective senior outfits this year, while there have also been some new inclusions. 

“Players like Zac Martin out of Narooma are coming through, while the Diggers also have a big pick up and it will be interesting to see how he goes.”

A couple of clubs will have some big boots to fill as the Bermagui Breakers and Panthers farewell Scott and Aaron Proctor respectively. 

“It will be tough for Bermagui to replace him, but the players wish him good luck down in Wodonga, hopefully he can play some good footy down there,” Moore said. 

The Lightning Cup will also feature the women’s competition again and Moore said there was some movement around the women’s game with Pambula potentially nipping at the heels of the powerhouse Eden and Tathra clubs. 

The Whalers ladies have unfortunately lost a few players this season, but Moore said they would still be among those battling for the flag. 

He said the women’s draw was a growing force within SCAFL, while additions to the under 12s also bode well for the future. "Between growth in the women’s and the under 12s it’s a good sign for future years.”

Moore encourages everyone to head along to the Lightning Cup with play from 9.30am. “The last couple of years have been really good days of footy and the weather always puts it on for us,” he said. “It’s a great family environment with jumping castle for the kids and the best chance to see everyone shaping up.”